How to establish a plantain, banana plantation

The food crisis in Africa and Nigeria in particular is not unconnected with our inability to tap the abundantly available resources at our disposal to solve our food problems.

Plantain and bananas are another set of food crops, which can be easily grown profitably in the country. The botany of plantains and Bananas do not differ except that storage of carbohydrate in the fruit of plantains is in form of starch while it is sugar in bananas.

It has been identified that establishment of plantain and banana plantation is another means of livelihood for Nigerians, hence the need for this write up.

Project justification and marketing potential

The establishment of such project will increase food production in the country. This will help in combating hunger and malnutrition in the country. It will also help in improving the livelihoods of rural dwellers through the creation of job opportunities.

The crops have huge consumption rates and also serve as raw materials to the food and beverage industry and the poultry industry. This shows that the market is very large both locally and internationally for the crops.

Establishment of the project will on the aggregate improve Nigeria’s economy. It will have multiplier effect on the economy by providing job opportunities for labourers, the market women, the industrial users and help in improving the economic well-being of the promoters.

Production technology

To embark on this project, there is the need for a suitable land that has the following characteristics: humid low land, deep and well drained fertile soils, optimum temperature of 27oc and well-distributed rainfall of about 2,000mm per annum.

It must be noted that site for the project should be visited by experts to ascertain their suitability or otherwise.

After land procurement, we do the land preparation either mechanically or by slashing. This is followed by purchase of suckers (the planting materials). Planting is done by digging holes of about 45cm wide and deep after which the suckers are placed in the holes. The spacing between crops should be about 3m.

After planting, herbicide can be applied to control weed growth. Cultural practices involve fertilizer application at six months interval, pruning and regular weeding. Pruning involves removal of unwanted suckers to allow the selected ones to develop well and produce desirable bunches. It takes about 18 months for the crops to mature.

Financial requirements

To establish the plantation 10 Acre land can be used for a start. All projections therefore, are based on 10 Acres.

Revenue projection

Under good management, one sucker planted initially will produce one bunch of plantain and banana per annum. This gives a total of 10,000 bunches per annum. A bunch of plantain will sell for a minimum of N1, 000.

This gives us total revenue of N10 million per annum starting from the 18th month after planting. Cost of maintenance per annum is estimated at a million naira.

Promoters will no doubt have over N8 million as profit every year. Plantain plantations can last for a very long time if it is well maintained.

This is surely a good means of livelihood for Nigerians. The project is recommended without any reservation. Serious minded investors can be guided to successfully establish the project. The author can be contacted through email: [email protected].