Establishment of teak tree plantation farm is one of the investments that secure the future of the investors. Teak tree is one of the tropical plants that have wide and various uses. Teak trees can be harvested from the sixth year of planting. It is one of the plants used for electricity poles and it can grow to timber sizes, which can be sawn and used as woods for furniture making.
Teak trees also have tremendous export market. Anybody who makes sacrifice to have 20 acres teak tree plantation will be reaping the benefits for life after the sixth year of planting. Teak tree is in high demand by furniture makers, especially for making doors. It is also used for railway woods.
Benefits derivable from this project among others include income and job creation, rural development, self reliance and sustenance, for the nation, it can provide increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and gross natural income, reduction in social vices and diversification of the economy. In this regard, it is strongly recommended for all Nigerian and foreign investors.
Technical information
Teak can grow within the Southern and middle belt of Nigeria. Seedlings are purchased from plant nursery operators and are transplanted to the already cleared and prepared land. One acre of land can conveniently take 1000 seedlings. So, we need 20,000 seedlings in 20 acres land. Good seedlings can be arranged for serious minded investors. Cultural practices include regular weeding, resupply, thinning and pruning. We only need to weed in the first five years, after the fifth year, the plantation would have established itself. Weeding is usually done in the dry season by bush burning because teak trees are fire resistant. All over, things will get burnt except the teak trees. You can start to harvest the teak trees from the sixth year. By this time, they can be cut and sold as electricity poles. Those who want them as timbers will wait for about 10 years before harvesting.
By: OLUMAKINDE ONI
