Please can you explain the future of Jatropha cultivation?
Land investment in Jatropha is practically unrestricted since Jatropha can grow in waste land that is usually uninhabited by other plants and crops.

In subtropical regions like Asia and Africa, many countries have started to invest a lot on Jatropha and in the production of Jatropha oil,among others.

As the need for Jatropha oil increases,the components that are used for processing Jatropha also become a must.So,investing in these components also makes lot of money.

Also, investing in Jatropha research and production process also brings in a lot of interest. Thus, in simple terms, investing in the growing market of Jatropha has an endless result.

Q2. I am 60 years of age. I want to go into snail farming. I am from Sabogida Ora in Owan West LGA in Edo State.
Snail farming is raising snails in a cultured environment, which might be on a subsistence or commercial level.

A commercial snail farm requires a good housing type preferably concrete pens covered with wire mesh,which might be capital intensive; good healthy parent stocks- an initial stock of 1,000 – 10,000 snails,supply of fresh vegetables and fruits and source of water.

A wooden cage can be used for a subsistence snail farm with an initial stock of 200 adult snails. An initial stock of 1,000 adult snails will become close to 8,000 snails after 8-12 months.

A snail is sexually matured in 8-12months. Snails lay more eggs during the raining season, so the best time to start a snail farm is during the raining season.

The three most common giant African land snails are: achatina achatna (tiger snails), achachatina marginata also called the west African land snail.

This can grow as big as 600 grammes and above and common in Nigeria and some west African countries. The third one is achatina folic, which lays a lot of tiny eggs and doesn’t grow big.

The marginata species is best for a commercial farm, though they lay few large eggs but can grow very much bigger with good feeding and regular supply of calcium. For further reading you can order for my book on raising snails for local and export markets.

Q3. I am from Ogbomosho, I read your articles on Moringa. Please how can I invest in this plant? Is it profitable? And what is the maturity period for Moringa. Mr. Wale Adeoye.
Investment in Moringa requires starting a Moringa plantation. 2,500 stands of Moringa can be planted on an hectare.

The moringa leaves are ready for harvest in 8-10 months. The leaves are processed into Moringa spice or Moringa tea or Moringa powder. 200 gram moringa powder is sold for N600.

However, to be in business, you might not need to have 2,500 stands; just 100 stands planted on a plot of land is enough to start a Moringa factory.

You can call 07040561208 to order for your Moringa seedlings or any of our materials on snail farming.

Q4. Hello, Tomi Olatoye, I read your articles every Tuesday on the net, I really commend you for all your very educative articles. I am a Nigerian based abroad and I am interested in investing in plantation agriculture. Please can you suggest what can be planted considering the fact that I’m not in Nigeria and would not be able to monitor the farm? I intend coming back home in the next five years.
A plantation is planting of a single crop or trees on a large expanse of land. Because of its large size, a plantation takes advantage of economies of scale.

For every Nigerian abroad, who wishes to come back home in the nearest future and wants to invest in agriculture. I strongly recommend plantation agriculture.

Examples of what can be grown are : Oil palm, Cocoa, Cashew, Pineapple, Jatropha, Moringa, Citrus, Teak and Cotton.

Planting of some crops like plantain and cassava in the first two years will also earn you some money to maintain the farm.

Q5. Madam Olatoye, please how much do I need to establish a commercial grass cutter farm?
For a commercial farm: initial stock 5 -10 Families of one male and four female grass cutters can be procured at N35,000.

HOUSING TYPES:
Wooden cage:  2 UNITS - 3 tier cage with 6 compartments - Cost per unit = N90,000
2.    Concrete type : 1unit – 10 compartments. Cost per unit : N250,000.
3.    Iron type : 4units – 3 compartments each. Cost per unit : N90,000.

However, a do-it-yourself (DIY) housing for the grass cutters will be cheaper than the prices quoted above.

Stay blessed and happy farming !