Within the last few years, agriculture in Nigeria has experienced a massive growth. More people are beginning to cultivate and grow their own food as well as starting livestock or crop farms for profit. This implies that more farmers are paying more attention to the level of crop productivity on their farms.
Notwithstanding the impressive results, some farmers are still experiencing a downfall in crop yield year after year because of the poor farming techniques they apply unknowingly while cultivating crops.
The method of crop cultivation from land preparation to the end of the farm cycle determines the quality and quantity of farm produce that would be harvested.
Crop productivity is an essential part of every farmer’s journey, so if you are disappointed at harvest because of a decrease in your farm produce, one of these highlighted points you are about to read might be the reason.
- Soil Type & Quality: There are different types of soil – Loamy, clay and sandy soil. Every crop type requires its own particular soil texture to produce optimum yield. You cannot plant rice in a dry land with little rainfall or means of irrigation, else it would not germinate. Neither would maize germinate properly when planted in cold, wet soil except the soil temperature reaches 60°F. Farming is more than just the seeds in your hands, it requires a fertile soil which contains the required amount of nutrients needed for the desired growth.
- Planting Method:The best planting method is one that allows seeds to be placed at the correct depth, which provides good contact between the seed and soil. When the seeds are carelessly planted, there is the tendency for seed predators such as birds and squirrels to eat or dig up the seeds while searching for food. They could even be washed off easily by flood or irrigation. Also, when planted too deep, the stalk and leaves could be inside the soil while the plant germinate. The solution is to plant seeds according to the measurement required for the crop type.
- Planting Time:The time of sowing seeds is one of the major causes of low crop yield. When the land is prepared long before planting is done (except in cases where this is required), there is every tendency for weeds to have an advantage over the crops. You end up spending more time weeding to give crops enough space to germinate. Timing in crop farming is key. Also, planting seasons should be considered as well as the weather condition at the time of planting. Not all crops are cultivated yearlong.
- Poor Quality Seed Selection: An important factor to ensure optimum crop productivity is seed selection. Not all seeds are of high quality. Sometimes rough handling or placement of the seeds before planting can destroy its nutrients and moisture, thus resulting in low productivity at harvest time. Before planting, the texture and colour of the seeds should be well examined. Ensure that the seeds are well handled and stored in a safe place with the right temperature.
- Irrigation:To improve crop yield, a regular supply of water is needed. When this is not available or done at a particular time in the crop cycle, yield is likely to be impacted negatively during harvest. Adequate preparation on how to avoid water shortage during crop planting should be made.
- Application of Fertilizer: The type of fertilizer, amount of fertilizer and time of fertilizer application could contribute to low crop productivity. It is required that fertilizer is applied in a balanced amount with standard methods at the appropriate time.
The knowledge of best farming practices to adopt cannot be overemphasized. When you use the best methods in cultivating your food crops, you reap a bountiful harvest and when you do not, you get little or nothing at all. It is the responsibility of every farmer to care for their farm in and out of planting season.
HANNAH EDIA
Hannah is the Lead SEO/Content Development at Farmcrowdy.
