3 Basic Tips for a Successful Farming Season

As the farming season is fast approaching in most parts of west and central Africa, especially in northern Nigeria.

Just as the popular saying goes failing to plan simply means planning to fail. It becomes therefore very important we pick our pen and book.

To draw a road map towards achieving a successful cropping season that will guarantee a bountiful harvest.

Although there are factors that we have little or no influence to change or improve upon such as the amount of rainfall, drought, favorable weather condition.

In this vein, there are lots of other factors that are within our powers to influence and improve upon, that are capable of making a huge difference between success and failure.

farming season: a tracking working the field

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Preparing the Land For the Farming Season

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Factors such as:

Selecting the best location and soil type
Buying and using disease resistance, high yielding seeds
Analyzing soil type, using the appropriate fertilizer for a particular soil for maximum yield
Using the right farm machinery and implements especially planters and making the right ridges
Putting in place good storage facilities for both pre-farming seasons for storing seedlings and other farm equipment and post-harvest for storing the various farm produce.

For the sake of this article, we are going to dwell on only the 3 basic tips that will help guarantee a bountiful harvest.

Farming season: A field ready for planting

locally applied organic fertilizer

Using Good And Improved Seedlings For Maximum Yield

What guarantees your success in any cropping season is the law of sowing and reaping i.e whatever you sow is what you will equally reap.

The quality of the seed you use has a direct influence on your success rate. Just buying any seedling from the market is one of the surest ways to fail.

Always take your time to make your research, get your improved seedlings from reputable research and agricultural institution.

There is a lot of government agency saddle with the responsibility of ensuring farmers get good seedling for their farm. Also, the Central Bank-approved NGO (non-governmental organization) can help farmers get quality seedlings.

Good and quality seedlings should have the following characteristics:

Simple Tips on Choosing Seedlings

Avoid any seedlings that show signs of insect, weevil, or physical damage.
Seedlings that look too light and frail, yellow in color, or browning off are no good.
The seedling should be dry and well packaged
Look out for the label on the package, the best before date(BB), are the seeds genetically modified (GM),
Are the seedlings grown organically using natural, compost garden manure, or the use of synthetic fertilizers has been employed in the production of the seedlings.
You can use testimonies from other farmers to buy seedlings from a particular company.

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Fertilization

The Type of Fertilizer To Use And Its Availability

The soil is the foundation upon which your crop will stand and flourish. If the foundation is the faulty collapse is imminent.

Making appropriate analysis of the soil quality and type will help inform the decision on the right type of fertilizer to use that will enrich the soil for a bumper harvest.

To nourish your crops with the necessary and vital minerals it requires. The soil has to be rich and endowed with such minerals.

To achieve this, you have to decide what type of fertilizer you are going to use, either organic or inorganic.

Either of the two has its advantages and disadvantages, but everything depends on your preference and the strong reasons behind your decision.

Making plans and purchasing good inorganic fertilizer ready for your farms before the commencement of the farming season will help greatly in ensuring a hitch-free farming season.

If you are a livestock or poultry farmer this will afford you the opportunity to stockpile and reserve your organic fertilizer for usage on your farm.

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Getting A Good Planter For The Right Job

Getting the right depth and spacing for each crop you intend to plant has a direct correlation to the quality and quantity of your harvest.

There are various types of Planters from small to medium scale planters to huge machinery. You can always get the one that is appropriate for your farming operation.

The most important point here is for you to be actively involved to ensure that the right crop spacing is achieved.