Nutmeg plant is an evergreen perennial tree which produces nuts that are very spicy. It produces 2 different spices: the nutmeg and mace. The tree can grow as high as 10m in height. Nutmeg is the dried kernel of the seed/fruit while mace is the dried aril surrounding the seed. The major producers of nutmeg and mace is Indonesia. Their nut is very nutritious and almost every cook uses it especially confectioners. Thereby making their commercial production very profitable. Nutmeg farming is easy to grow and manage, it is one of the spices grown in Nigeria.
The plant is dioecious propagated from the seeds , cuttings or grafting. It is ideal to propagate by grafting because propagation by seeds usually produce 50% male seedlings which are unproductive.
Typed of grafting in nutmeg farming
- Epicotyl grafting
- Approach grafting
- Patch budding
These 3 types of grafting have proven to be very productive with Epicotyl grafting being the most widely adopted standard.
It grows well in humid and warm climatic conditions.
Land preparation
Clear the land and remove all debris. You can plant directly or use nursery. Extract the seeds from the pericarp and sow it immediately in the beds in a distance of 15m width and 15cm height. Germination starts within 1 month and 3 months after sowing. After 3 weeks moved the seedlings to polythene bags. Fill the bags with a mixture of sand , manure and water. Transplant the seedlings to main field when it 18 months to 24 months.
Cultivation of nutmeg
Planting is done during rainy season from March to July. Dig hole of 0.75mx0.75m, pour manure on the soil before actual planting . Spacing should be between 7m-8m for grafted crops use 5m by 5m optimum. Provide shade to protect the crops from the sun direct scorching during the early stage. For sloppy site plant permanent trees for shade.
Problems in nutmeg cultivation . Nutmeg farming do well in humid and warm climatic conditions.
Fertilizer applications
Use organic manures such as: livestock dung , compost manure, bone meal etc.
Water application
Nutmeg farming requires adequate amount of water. Good irrigation will high yield and quality of fruits. Irrigation should be during dry season or when there is drought. It requires annual rainforest 150cm and above.
Intercropping on nutmeg farming
Just like in oil palm farming during the early stage short term and low growing crop such as vegetable can be intercropped with nutmeg plantation . It may interest you to know that nutmeg can be intercropped in Coconut , coffee, moringa plantations and in any plantations where light shade conditions are suitable
Pest and diseases in nutmeg cultivation
Fruit rot
Leaf spot and shot hole
Hard scale saissetia
Pre-mature splitting of pericarp
Harvesting
Harvesting starts after 5 years and continues till 20 years or more before diminishing return sets in. Fruiting and harvesting of fruits is within 9 months after flowering. It continues to flower and be harvested throughout the year. It is ready for harvest when the pericarp splits open. The outer fleshy portion is removed a d the nutmeg seed is separated from the mace.
Yield per hectare
The yield will depend on the Agronomic management, soil type and specie planted
450kg of mace can be gotten in a hectare after 8 years and 350kg of nuts. Like other cash crops the yield increases as the crop grows in years. 4800kg mace and 31000kg nuts can be gotten from a 25 years old tree.
Nutmeg farming profit per acre
A fully grown tree will produce 2000 to 3000 fruits in a yeart. 1 seed cost #50 in my area. 50 multiply by 2000, it therefore means in a year 1 tree will give you #100,000. What if you have up to 50 trees. That’s how profitable nutmeg farming is.
Uses of nutmeg
- For flavoring food
- The fruit covering (Pericap) is used in jam making
- Essential oil obtain from nutmeg is used in perfume making and pharmaceutical industry.
Health benefits of nutmeg
It is highly nutritious and contains
- Powerful antioxidant which helps to prevent cellular damage
- It helps in reducing inflammation by inhibiting certain enzymes
- Some researches done with animal shows that it enhance libido and bed performance.
- It has antibacterial properties
- Regular consumption can reduce heart disease risk factors
- Nutmeg can control blood sugar when taken regularly.
- It is good for insomnia, brain function, , digestion, pain relief etc.
Nutmeg farming in Nigeria
It is commonly found d in the evergreen forests of West Africa. Common names are; Calabash Nutmeg, African Nutmeg. Local names in Nigeria; are; Ariwo, Airama, Ehiri, Ehuru etc.
