How to start a lucrative Pawpaw Farming in Nigeria

Pawpaw farming is an established and thriving sector of agriculture in Nigeria. Pawpaws, known scientifically as Carica papaya, are a nutritious tropical fruit that grows well in many parts of the country. Pawpaw cultivation presents strong business opportunities as demand rises for their sweet taste, vitamins, antioxidants, and medicinal properties.

Market and Profitability of Pawpaw in Nigeria

Pawpaw is an income-generating crop with expanding production and sales within Nigeria and in international markets. Prices and profits make it competitive against other fruits.

Get a piece of land, clear it and burn the refuge to ashes. Then plant your pawpaw seed 5metres away from each other. Now sprinkle on some of your seeds. A couple of dozen per bed is a good amount. I usually use even more… Cover the seeds lightly with more compost, and then mulch the patch well. The seeds usually take about a couple of weeks to germinate, and may take longer.

After one or two months, clear the weeds around the crops and do not dispose the refuge, but allow it to decay. This will serve as a manure to the land. After two more months, start transplanting the pawpaw to some places were you feel the gap is more than 5meters. During the transplanting process only two stand should be left in the planted spot reason being that one of the two may turnout to be a male and male papaya doesn’t fruit but you need them for cross pollination. You only need one male for every ten to fifteen female plants to ensure good pollination.

After three months buy a chemical called uproot, force up or any other herbicides chemical to spray the land. This will help the crops to be balanced and ready for production. After six months, apply the same chemical, spraying it all around the farm land. Within the next three weeks, you will see the fruiting getting interesting, then allow for three more months for it to be strong and start ripping.

Soil requirements: The Pawpaw trees prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6-7.

Climate requirements: Pawpaw tree grow well in tropical and subtropical regions with adequate sunlight and water.

Planting distance: Plant trees 4-6 meters apart to allow for proper growth and fruit production.

Planting duration: It is important for farmers to note that it takes close to nine months after transplanting for the fruit to be ready for harvesting, as the appearance of traces of yellow colour on the fruit indicates that it is ready for harvesting also note that fruits harvested early have longer post-harvest life, although it may give abnormal taste and flavour.

The pawpaw tree, when planted, grows around a slightly acidic soil, well-draining, and one that’s fertile for good growth and fruit reproduction, as it requires a compost that can be added to help with the soils quality and overall health, as younger pawpaw plants require frequent watering. According to Steve Bender, who is also known as The Grumpy Gardener, a senior writer and an experienced garden editor, in one of his publications on “Why pawpaws are the ideal fruit trees for your garden”, he explained that planting pawpaw plants helps foster biodiversity and support wildlife, and that its flowers are a valuable nectar source for pollinators, as the pawpaw fruit serve as food for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals.

Land Characteristics:

Fertile, well-drained, deep loamy, or sandy-clay soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.7

Gentle undulating land for drainage rather than steep hills

Access to freshwater irrigation sources is critical for dry periods.

Minimise the risk of flooding, which spreads root diseases.

Road access facilitates transport and marketing.

When reviewing sites, check scouting reports from agricultural agencies showing commodities each area supports best.

According to this analysis, planting paw paw on 2 plots will yield you close to million yearly?

Now, let’s say you plant Pawpaw on a plot of land.

The maximum trees a plot can take is 200 stands

A good variety produces up to 60-90 fruits in a year and a fruit is sold @ N50 bulk purchase

200 × 60 = 12,000 Fruits in a year

But let say you sold 10,000 fruits

10,000 × N50 = N500,000 sales not profit

Each tree stays 4years, and fruit production begins on the 6th month, this means that a tree produces for 3years and 6 months.

Now, let’s say 3 years

N500,000 × 3 years = N1,500,000

Final Thoughts

N1,500,000 from ‘ordinary’ pawpaw on a plot in less than 4 years

There are so many unused plots close to you that you can either lease or get to use for free. Start Pawpaw farming today and you won’t regret. Delay is dangerous. You can also interplant papaya with other cash crops like Cocoyam, maize, pumpkin etc in the same farmland.

Pawpaw farming is a profitable and promising business in Nigeria and Africa. With the high demand for pawpaw fruit both locally and internationally, pawpaw farming offers numerous economic, health, and business benefits. Pawpaw farming can be started with minimal capital investment and can be done in various forms ranging from small-scale to large-scale farming. The market for pawpaw is diverse, ranging from the local market to international markets, offering ample opportunities for farmers to sell and market their products.

However, pawpaw farming in Nigeria and Africa is not without its challenges, which include pests and diseases, poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, and the lack of knowledge and skills among farmers. Addressing these challenges through effective planning, research, and investment will go a long way in promoting the growth and development of the pawpaw farming industry in Nigeria and Africa.

 Overall, pawpaw farming presents a significant opportunity for farmers in Nigeria and Africa to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the economic development of their countries. With the right resources and support, pawpaw farming can become a major contributor to the agricultural sector in Nigeria and Africa.

 Pawpaw tree plantation is a highly profitable agricultural business in Nigeria and Africa. By following proper planting, growth, and care techniques, farmers can overcome challenges and enjoy the numerous benefits of pawpaw tree plantation. More so with its increasing demand and numerous health benefits, pawpaw fruits have become a popular choice for consumers, making pawpaw tree plantation a lucrative venture for farmers.

Get our Practical Training Guide on How to start a Pawpaw Farming in Nigeria. This guide covers everything you need to research, plan, establish, and manage a profitable pawpaw farm in Nigeria. Follow the best practices outlined here, and you can sustainably produce quality fruits for income over the short and long term.

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