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You are here: Home / Business / Agriculture / Apple Farming in Nigeria: Step by Step Guide

Apple Farming in Nigeria: Step by Step Guide

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You must have heard the popular expression – an apple a day keeps the doctor away. That statement may seem quite audacious, but even if apples don’t necessarily act as foolproof when it comes to preventing diseases, they are still extremely beneficial.

Apple Farming in Nigeria: Step by Step Guide

Some of these benefits have been highlighted below.

  • Apples lower cholesterol and helps fight heart diseases.
  • Apple contains an antioxidant called quercetin that helps to boost immunity
  • Apples contain non-digestible fibre that gives you a feeling of fullness thereby preventing overeating and excess weight gain.
  • Research has shown that apples lower the risk of diabetes.
  • Apples are good for brain health due to their antioxidant components
  • The antioxidants in apples are also useful in preventing some types of cancers as well as alzheimer’s and parkinson’s disease
  • Apples create an effect similar to the toothbrush on your teeth, also eating apples can give your breath a dose of freshness
  • Apples are packed with vitamin C which is very good for your skin and hair

Generally, apples are useful in the production of consumer and pharmaceutical products. Some of these products include jellies, pickles, apple cider vinegar and red wine.

Over 70 million tonnes of apples are grown worldwide. China is responsible for producing at least half of this quantity every year followed by the United States.

In Nigeria, the majority of apples consumed are imported from countries like South Africa and the United States of America. The statistics show that at least 50, 000 tonnes of these apples are imported into the country annually.

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Each year the consumption of apples is on the rise and there’s the need to find ways to begin to grow apples in the country in order to meet this growing demand.

The type of apple that can be grown in large quantities in a place like Nigeria is the Bell apple. The Bell apple is as nutritious and beneficial as the imported variety although it tastes quite different. It has a mixture of a sweet and sour taste and the intensity of the sweetness or sourness depends on how ripe it is.

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This article will take you through the process of planting and harvesting the Bell Apple as well as the temperate variety.

Bell Apple Planting

The planting season of the Bell apple is between September and April. You can plant 160 seedlings per acre at a spacing of 5m by 5m. The seeds are pressed into the soil but barely covered with soil. This is because the seeds need light to germinate. Also, the seeds should be spaced at least 1 inch apart. Additionally, the soil should be watered after planting. Usually, it takes about 3 weeks for the seed to germinate.

You can begin to sell the seedling 10 weeks after planting. Currently, there’s a great demand for the Bell apple seedlings because there are only a few farmers involved in planting this apple. However, the apple can be cultivated in at least 34 of the 36 states in the country with the exceptions being the core northern states of Borno and Sokoto.

Bell apples require adequate humidity and rainfall to thrive. It can tolerate different soil types from sandy to clay. It can also thrive in moderately acidic soil.

Harvesting

Usually, the tree takes 3 years before they begin producing fruits. Each harvest yields at least 1000 fruits and there are a minimum of 2 harvests in a year.

Temperate Apple

The most popular apples consumed in Nigeria are those produced in the temperate or Mediterranean regions. They can not be grown in Nigeria because they require cold conditions for optimal growth and fruit production. Ideally, the plant should be exposed to cold temperature below 7C for at least 6 weeks (1000 hours) during the planting season. However, the apples have been grown in the past in the plateau regions of Nigeria like the Jos, Mambila and Obudu plateau.

These apples can grow in most soils however; the ideal soil should be well drained; properly aerated, loamy type; rich in organic matter and with a ph of 5.5 to 6.5

They are planted in January/February and require rainfall of 115-120cm of per year. During flooding, the excess water should be drained out quickly to prevent waterlogging. However, in this case of heavy rain, there’s no need for irrigation. The frequency of irrigation increases to four times a month during the summer and reduces to once a month during winter.

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Additionally, training and pruning of the apple tree is very essential because this ensures optimal plant growth and increased productivity.

Usually, the most common apple pests are thrips and aphids. These can be prevented by using pest resistant root stock. Also, in the case of diseases like the crown blight and collar rot, the use of disease resistant root stock can also reduce disease susceptibility.

Generally, apple orchard starts bearing from the 7th or 8th year. The economic life of this apple tree is about 35 years, although some continue to bear even after 35 years.

Wrapping up

There’s a growing interest in Bell apple farming and, it is possible to generate a 100% return on your investment within 6 months and 3 years depending on what aspects you are focused on. You can make a 100% profit by selling the seedlings within 6 months of planting. Or you could wait a little longer when the fruits are ready and you can also make great returns on your investment.

However, one major challenge with these apples is the attack of bats during the fruiting period. Another challenge happens during storage. The apples are quite perishable and tend to rot within 3 days. However, it could last a couple of weeks if refrigerated.

Also, you can try to cultivate the temperate apple at a pilot scale if you live in any of the cold regions of the country particularly the plateau area of Jos, Mambila and Obudu.


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Comments

  1. Prince naeson says

    October 27, 2019 at 3:05 am

    I’m a dealer on low chill apples or temperate apples such as wambugu apple, anna apple, dorsett Golden, tropical beauty etc. All these varieties because they have little or no chill requirements are currently grown around the tropics including Nigeria.
    A seedling cost 5k.
    Call/whatsapp +23464621971
    Fb : Prince Naeson

    Reply
    • ITUA says

      November 19, 2019 at 9:42 am

      Prince, I have interest in growing the temperate apple in Edo state, what would I need to achieve optimal productivity.

      Reply
  2. Patton says

    July 14, 2019 at 3:27 am

    Hello everyone, I’ve been growing apples and other plants from seed, right at home. Nice to know that others are interested.

    Reply
  3. Nnamdi Nwike says

    July 1, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    This is a good job well done. Please I am interested, how can I get the plants/seeds.

    Reply
  4. Adinga says

    May 22, 2019 at 7:28 pm

    Am from Jos, Plateau state. for years I wanted to start this but didn’t know who to guide me on it until I read this. Where can I get the seed for the two types mentioned above pls? 08067920635

    Reply
  5. ADEWOYE Stephen says

    May 18, 2019 at 2:38 am

    Am interested in planting where can I get am in Ilesha osun state my gsm is 08032392461

    Reply
  6. Benita Ujunwa says

    May 5, 2019 at 1:44 am

    Nice work Sir. Please I live in Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria , how do I get the seeds/seedings. Thank you Sir

    Reply
    • Engr kenny says

      August 1, 2019 at 6:23 am

      I can direct you on how to get it at Nsukka but don’t know which part you are living to know exact place to direct you

      Reply
  7. Robert otu says

    April 29, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    Sir,I want to say very big thank you for spending your precious time to educate us.pls sir I am interested and I have important information to tell you which can’t say here…

    Reply
  8. Johnson says

    April 13, 2019 at 5:05 pm

    I live in Port Harcourt. How can I get the seedlings.

    Reply
  9. Ugwu Emmanuel says

    March 25, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    Please I need the seed

    Reply
  10. Ademola olude says

    January 8, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    This is good news. A chap mentioned thus to me and that he has it growing in his house. He got his seedlings from Jo’s. If Ikol Farms is already working on its cultivation in Nigeria, it will be beautiful. They should be encouraged and the Farm too should be magnanimous enough to make the seedlings available to Nigeruans at very reasonable amount. I need some seedlings in Akure.

    Reply
  11. Joseph Ipeghan Ubumio says

    November 4, 2018 at 9:56 am

    l really grow up in the non salty rain forest tropics of the Niger Delta region. I want to grow this very green type of apple.How then can I get the already germinated one (Nursery) and non germinated life seed of this 🍎 so that I can make my genuine money.thanks.

    Reply
    • Adeniyi says

      May 8, 2019 at 3:42 pm

      We have apple seedlings (nursery) for sale in Ibadan at Buymoore consult. Contact us on 08142645121

      Reply
  12. Dcn jones says

    October 31, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    I have always thought apples can’t grow in Nigeria . Please how do one get the seeds And can one plant in green house

    Reply
  13. Dcn jones says

    October 31, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    I have always thought apples can’t grow in Nigeria . Please how do one get the seeds

    Reply
  14. Ikechukwu Okoli says

    October 28, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    Contrary to most believe, apples can grow in the tropics (in Nigeria to be specific). I and some research colleagues have done extensive work and have been able to grow and maintain four varieties within three species of temperate apples namely Malus domestica “Top Red”, Malus domestica “Cripps Red”, Malus pumila “Pink Lady” and Malus sylvestris “Granny Smith”, actually my farm (Ikol farms http://www.ikolfarms.com.ng) helps individuals, companies or institutions develop tropically pre-adapted apple seedlings for tree orchards.

    Reply
    • Onyi says

      May 24, 2019 at 6:41 pm

      Please I need Apple Seedlings.
      Contact me 07086232215.

      Reply
  15. Amao maria says

    October 24, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    Lovely,how can i get the seed ,am in Ibadan oyo statea

    Reply
    • Adeniyi says

      May 8, 2019 at 3:44 pm

      Contact us on 08142645121 Buymooreconsults

      Reply
      • Sheyin Amos says

        June 12, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        Good day my farmer friend, how can I get the seeds or seedlings of the apple for planting. I want to have the farm in kaduna state

        Reply
  16. Alex Ojo says

    October 20, 2018 at 11:54 am

    Well done, please, how can I get the seedlings. Thanks.

    Alex from Akure

    Reply
    • Mike Anyi says

      November 3, 2018 at 6:29 pm

      Visit ikolfarms.com.ng for info on how to obtain different varieties of temperate Apple seedings. I got mine from them and its doing very well, though not fruiting yet.

      Reply
  17. Alex Oji says

    October 20, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Well done, please, how can I get the seedlings. Thanks.

    Alex from Akure

    Reply
  18. Aminu Alba says

    July 26, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    I’m interested how can i get the seed?

    Reply
  19. lahu says

    July 19, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    where can i get the seed or seedlings am
    in kaduna

    Reply
  20. Ghazali says

    July 12, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    Good work. Please I have interest. Where can I get the seeds or the seedlings. I live in Osogbo, Osun State. Thanks

    Reply

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