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How To Start Grape Farming In Nigeria: Complete Guide

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How To Start Grape Farming In Nigeria: Complete Guide

Grape farming can be done anyway in the world but grows best in hot climatic conditions. 11 years of research and experiment has brought about the growing of grapes in Nigeria which is a tropical region. Grape trees are beautiful ornamental plant which produces sweet and versatile fruits.

Apple farming like grape was difficult to grow in Nigeria. But today I make bold to write; you can plant them any way in the country by the use of hybrid seedlings. The new technique in grape cultivation has made it a huge success. Read this post to the end to see how it works.

Read Also: How To Start A Successful Apple Farming In Nigeria

Most of the grapes we consume in Nigeria are imported majorly from South Africa. By the time the grapes come into the country, the fruit would have lost its original taste. This is why we are calling on entrepreneurs to invest in grape farming.

How will you feel having this important fruit at your backyard and in your garden. You will harvest the fruits fresh and the taste will be awesomely great. Grapes also known botanically as berry is a decidious wooden vines of flowering plant.

Fruit Farming Business Opportunities In Nigeria/Africa

GRAPE FARMING

Grapes are used in making jams, jjelly, juice, grape seed extract, grape seed oil and raisins vinegar. Berry can be found in big stores, malls, super markets and they are weighed in kilograms.

It is only very recently that roadside hawkers, hawk the fruits on traffics. Grapes contain minerals, vitamins and important substances needed by the body. A mature tree produces 25kg of fruits when scientifically cultivated and they grow in clusters of 15-300.

Grape farming is native to Western Asia and European countries, the major grape producing countries are; China, France, America, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, South Africa etc.. There are two types available in the market; grapes without seed and grapes with seed.

Grapevines are cash crops that lives for many years, because of this it is advisable for you to get a personal land were you won’t be disturbed. Go for hybrid seedlings which can mature within a year.

IN THIS POST YOU WILL LEARN

  • How to prepare land
  • Planting/propagation
  • Fertilization
  • Pests/disease control
  • Irrigation
  • Harvest
  • Marketing
  • Profits in grapes farming
  • Health benefits of grapes

WHY YOU SHOULD START GRAPE FARMING

  • Grape farming is not labour intensive as such can be managed.
  • It requires less water and manure to do well
  • Grape farming is yet to be fully harnessed in Nigeria. Berry is highly loved by many people who will buy it no matter the cost. It is mostly consumed by the elites who will purchase it no matter the amount.
  • Berry plant are vigorous growers with proper planting they will produce fruits without stress.
  • It is very lucrative, you will keep reaping the dividends for a long time.
  • A little space like a plot or acre is enough to make you rich in grape farming business.
  • Grape is very easy to cultivate.

GRAPE VARIETIES

There are many different varieties which are grouped into 2. With each having its own characteristics.

  1. Table grapes: they are used for meals preparation example is sweeteners used in cake making.
  2. Wine grapes are used in the production of wine.

Here are the list for some of the varieties:

  • Vitis viniferia (European or French grape) is the most widely cultivated variety.
  • Europeans grapes do well in warm dry weather. American grapes are for cold environments
  • Vitis rotundifolia (North American Native Muscadine),
  • V. Labrusca (American grape)

Berry has different flavour, texture, size, colours such as; black, yellow, green, pink, crimson, dark blue and orange. purple grape was cultivated by Egyptians and North Africa.

We have more than 1000 cultivars for grape farming all over the world but the most commonest ones are:

  • Concord
  • Sweet jubilee
  • Crimson seedless
  • Variant
  • Champagne
  • Moon balls
  • Cotton candy etc.

You have to find out which variety is best suited for your region. There are few Nursery Companies in Nigeria that sells hybrid grape seedlings example is Seedworld Integrated.

LAND PREPERATION

Clear the land and loosen the soil in preparation for grapes cultivation in Nigeria. The ground should be levelled in other to attain uniformity. Although grapes can be grown in any soil type whether sandy, loamy, clay or a combination of any. The best soil to attain optimum growth of berry is well drained sandy loan soil rich in organic matter. Grape farming soil should be deep and loosen.


Read Also: Lemon And Orange Farming In Nigeria Detailed Guide

PLANTING

The simplest way to propagate grape is from wood cuttings, other ways are; budding, bud layering, seeds and grafting. Grapes seed propagation will take 3-4 years to fruit. In grape farming the planting season is September to October for the rooted cuttings while February to March is best for root stock. Before you start grapes farming make provision for stakes that grapes vines can be trellis upon, it will reduce the risk of disease attack. Soak the young grapes roots in water for 2-3 hours before cultivating.

Spacing varies depending on the type of soil used and the variety. Muscadine requires much spacing use 2m to 3m for vines and 1.0m-1.5m between rows. For others use 2.0m-1,5m, 3.m-1.5m and 2.75-1.5m so you can plant more, like 5,000 seedlings a hectare.

Dig a hole of 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide trim any broken roots, set the vine into the hole and fill it up with the top soil. Use rectangular system of planting for commercial grape farming.

Grape Farming in nigeria

IRRIGATION

There is absolutely no need to irrigate berry plant during rainfall. They can withstand harsh conditions, however if the amount of rainfall drops below 500mm for a year you have to irrigate the plants. Grapes need about 900mm of rainfall to grow well.

PEST/DISEASE

The pests and diseases that threatens grape farming are; beetle powdery, mildew, black rot, red spider mite, thrips, flea beetles, leaf hoppers and mealy bug. Use Bordeaux mixture with cow dung and neem oil, water etc. Use mesh net to keep birds away from budding fruits because the like feeding on them.

FERTILIZATION

Grape growing can be done completely with organic manure. Don’t fertilize in the first year, slightly fertilize in the second year. And in the third year use between 50-60 kg manure per hectare. Potassium should be highest followed by Nitrogen and then Phosphorus.


Read Also: How to start Mango Farming In Nigeria Detailed Guidelines

FRUITING/PRUNING

During fruit ripening the weather must be sunny and a dry warm temperature (environment). This is vital for increasing its sugar content while also reducing its acidity. One of the reasons grape cultivated under irrigation in hot deserts are sweeter than those from cold humid environment.

Do not allow fruits in the grapevine during the first year. Because it can damage the young vines with their weight. Cut back all the fruits and all the vines, leave the strongest branching of the cane. Prune about 90% of the new growth on the older vines the following year. Make sure you maintain the pruning of your grapevine every year if not they will bleed their sap and lose vigour. Another time to prune vine is when they are dormant.

HARVEST

Grape vine, doesn’t have specific time for harvest, it can be harvested anytime of the year. Depending on when you planted it. Point to note; grapes will not continue to ripe after being picked from the vines like other fruits example banana.

Colour and size are not a yardstick for grape ripeness. Touch to see if you like it before harvesting. But they should be ready for harvest when they are rich in colour, juicy; full of flavour and easy to crush.

Eat some of the fruits to know if they are okay for harvest. The taste should be between sweet and tart. And they fruits should be tightly attached to the stem. If grapes are not ripening pinch back some of the foliage to let in more sunlight. Harvest is done by repeated pickings, it can be done twice a year.

Image from agrfarming

YIELD IN GRAPE FARMING

The yield depends on the variety and agronomy practice, it could be 30 tonnes or 50 tonnes per hectare. Berry fruits can easily absorb odours from other fruits or vegetables.

Make sure you always keep them separate. Use cartons, cardboard boxes, to package the grapes separate each bunch with saw duct. Pack the grapes 4 kg per box. And consistently check for spoilage. Grape trees can last longer than 50 years.

MARKETING

Grapes have ready markets, the number of people that eat the fruits raw is high. Sell to wine industries that are increasing in number all over the world. Supply to supermarkets, big shops, super stores and roadside food vendors. Berry is an exportable fruit, you can start from neighbouring countries.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRAPE

  • Grapes prevents series of heart diseases
  • Berry aids healthy vision and also prevent Anaemia.
  • The dietary fibre possessed by green grapes helps in lowering cholesterol and may possibly get rid of it.
  • Berry fruits can stop atherosclerosis and certain cancer.
  • Grapes prevent cold while strengthening the immune system.
  • The fruit helps in reducing the risk of diabetes and in weight loss.
  • It keeps nerve healthy and improves brain functioning. It also helps skin health and hair improvement.
  • Grapes are good in stopping Alzheimer, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
  • Relieves the body from inflammation and overstress.

PROFITABILITY IN GRAPE FARMING

A kg of berry is #700 and a tree can produce 25kg. 700Ă—25=#17,500
Imagine having an acre of grapevines of 400 stands. Multiply #17,500Ă—400=#7,000,000. Even if it is a plot of 66 stands you will have #1,155,000. This is what you will be getting year in year out for over a long period of years in grape farming.http://www.researchgate.net

CONCLUSION

Grape farming is one of the quuckest cash crop money making. It looks so aestestic when planted in rows. Grow it today for a lifetime finacial coverage.

If grape farming was useful to you, Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Use the comment box for your questions and get a prompt response and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter below, just enter your name and email address. Lastly, if you enjoyed this post, why not share with it your friends by making use of the share buttons below the newsletter form! In case you want us to write on any other topic, please let us know in the comments section or contact us. We appreciate your support Thank you.

 

36 COMMENTS

  1. Thsnk you very much for your knowledge shared. Please where can i get grape seedlings in ibadan i mean the hybrid seedlings.

  2. Hi, I’m Impress with this content, and I’m interested in starting a grape vineyard, I will need on the job training and the seedlings for planting.

  3. Hello my name is Meshach Moses
    This is a great deal.. Sincerely I love this article and i will love to start grapes farming in no time…..
    And plz i will also love to see an article on coffe plantation.
    Thank you

  4. Whao, Eno, am really proud of your work and hope that many Nigerians will appreciate your input as i do. I came in contact with grape plantation in Greece and Macedonia and i was really fascinated and i have been looking forward to how to it in Nigeria. And in the process of my research got this information from you. I will surely contact you. Thanks so much for this extract. God bless you.

  5. Thank you so much for this article, am interested I grape farming, what of Lebanon grapes does it grow and produce well in Nigeria? Am in plateau state. Thank you

  6. Great article. I’ve had this interest in grape farming but you just sold it to me. Thank you.
    How can I get to you?

  7. Bless you real good, Eno, for this article. You are just great. I am truly impressed.

    Having a vineyard is just one must for me. You have made it search easier and the information is very key!

    I am so thrilled.

    You are doing great and I would like to get more information on this and current update on vineyards anytime.

    Best Regards.

  8. Wow… Thanks a lot darling! Please can it grow in Anambra state and which species… Also I didn’t really get what you said about the planting time!

  9. Thanks greatly for this ma’am. God bless you! Please how can I reach you ma’am? I’m really interested in this

  10. Hello there! I was just researching about starting grape business in Nigeria specifically in Ogun state, and l stumbled upon your article on grape cultivation. My, my, my, was l impress. Thanks for this article. So, as a beginner, what suggestion or advise based on your expertise can you give to someone like me with absolutely no experience in farming or let alone start a grape business? Also l would really appreciated if you can give me a contact information for the hybrid grape deeds suppliers locally there. Thank you for your brilliant mind.

    • Hello @Billy, I will advise you get a company like seedworld or Grand farms to establish it for you then you can procced subsequently from your experience

  11. Wow this is so interesting I love the idea have actually engage in Apply farming in the pass years. But I seem to be like am going to try Grapes and see. It’s been a pleasure to have come across this article thanks

  12. Dear Eno,

    I love all about your write up its so self explanatory.

    Can one invest on GRAPE farming in Port Harcourt River State.
    Can 4 plots of land be enough to get good Grape plantation as a business.

  13. Thank you for this wonderful article. I came across this article out of desire to use grape farming aside other agro-processing as a lucrative backyard business apart from poultry farming for some groups of youths and women here in the northern(Zaria-Kaduna and Kano) Nigeria as the environment here can support the program very profitable.

    I will go to Oyo state for hybrid seedlings. Thank you once again.

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