How to Start Mango Farming Business in Nigeria (2024)

Agriculture remains a viable business, particularly when it comes to producing foods for human use for a large market and reaping significant profits. Mango growing in Nigeria is an example of a thriving agricultural company.

Mango is a sweet and pleasant Asian fruit. It is a member of the “Anacardiaceae” family. Mangoes are grown in various tropical regions around the world, ranging from East Asia to West Africa. Since its introduction into Nigeria, the fruit has shown to be cost-effective in both domestic and international markets, particularly in Benue state.

Mango trees are indeed fertile in well-drained soils because they are extractive in nature and require little to no maintenance. Mango fruits can be used for a variety of applications at various stages of development.

Unripe mangoes, for example, can be used to make pickle juice and herbal drinks, but ripe mangoes can be used to make fruit juice, jams, squashes, flavorings, jelly, and soap.

Commercial mango agriculture is thriving throughout Southeast Asia and West Africa, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana. However, just a few people in Nigeria are actively interested in mango growing, therefore the majority of the money from mango farming is concentrated in the hands of a few.

Mango production requires increased attention due to the market’s continued demand for its wonderful flavor, sweet smell, and high vitamin A and C contents. As a result, this article “How to Start a Mango Farming Business in Nigeria” was created.

HOW TO GET STARTED IN MANGO FARMING IN NIGERIA (2024)

Let’s take a look at the fundamental actions you’ll need to do to start the mango farming business in Nigeria.

STEP 1: DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN

A business strategy is vital for every business to succeed, and mango farming is no exception.

In your mango farming business plan, you should prioritize issues such as:

• Who is your target market?
• Market strategy and analysis required for success.
• The geographical location for both sales and manufacturing
• The required minimum capital
• Transportation costs starting from the farm to the manufacturing plant. Even if the mangoes are not to be processed, the costs of transporting the mangoes from the farm where it is planted to the market where it would be sold, consumers including the purchasing agents must be considered.
• Costs of operations and future objectives

To make money from mango processing, make sure your business strategy is well-written and presented so that prospective clients are eager in investing in your company.

STEP 2: LAND PREPARATION AND SEED SELECTION

Land preparation for launching a mango farming enterprise in Nigeria include the following steps:

• Land ploughing, clearing, and leveling

Before you begin planting, make sure the farmland is free of grasses and shrubs. After clearing the ground, plough it to break down huge soil lumps for easy root penetrative.

• Prepare the soil to allow water to drain more quickly.

Though any type of soil can be utilized for mango cultivation, clay soil retains a lot of water and is quickly clogged, whereas sandy and loamy soil are the polar opposite.

Furthermore, tilling a dry clayey field is not always straightforward, especially during the dry seasons. To that end, I recommend that you use sandy loam soil because it is simple to farm and does not necessitate many agricultural operations during cultivation.

• Gather the mango seeds that are appropriate for your farming.

Choose hybrid or grafted mango seedlings for maximum productivity in your Nigerian mango growing business. Despite the fact that they are not pure mango breeds, these seeds are relatively resistant to insect and parasite attacks. They thrive in all seasons and produce more.

• Mango Planting Instructions

You can either plant the mango seeds in your garden, and then transplant them after three to six months to a larger area. Whatever procedure you choose for your mango production, the topsoil should be combined with manure or fertilizer in a 1:1 ratio.

The seed insertion hole should be deep enough (approximately 1010m) to allow the mango roots to spread easily. After excavating the hole and prepping the topsoil, plant the mango seeds in each hole and cover with additional soil and water.

• Weeding and Plant Care

Weed control becomes necessary for the mango growing company in Nigeria after 14 to 21 days. The weeds removed can be mixed along with other farming manure and applied to the topsoil. These act as natural fertilizers for the mango plant.

During the first one to two years of cultivation, you should clear your mango plantation every three months. When the mango tree branches reach 90cm in length, prune the plant by taking out the dead branches. Dead mango branches can be identified by their yellowish-brown crusty color and feel.

Irrigation is only required if you start a mango farming business in Nigeria during the dry season or on extremely dry soil.

STEP 3: HUMAN RESOURCE EMPLOYMENT

During the first stages of your mango growing business in Nigeria, you will require the assistance of a few people. There will undoubtedly be more work on your mango farm than you and your machinery can handle together, especially for large-scale producers.

Human labor is required to completely gear the business into full operation as one of the most profitable fruit enterprises in the country.

These hired employees will assist in clearing and preparing the land for farming, as well as digging and irrigating the farms. So, depending on your budget, you’ll need 3 to 5 staff.

STEP 4: SELLING YOUR MANGO FRUITS

Typically, a big number of fruit traders will visit your property to purchase large numbers of mangoes. Regardless, you can send the mangoes to wholesalers in local markets as well as manufacturing enterprises.

You can expect significant profits in your mango plantation business if you work hard and follow sound farm management practices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN THE NIGERIAN MANGO FARMING BUSINESS

IN NIGERIA, HOW PROFITABLE IS MANGO FARMING?

Mango growing in Nigeria is particularly profitable due to the low competition rate. Mango growing is a subsistence activity for the few people that live in the southern portion of Nigeria.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND MANGOES IN NIGERIA?

During the rainy season, mangoes are abundant and free in various places of Nigeria. Gboko and the adjacent rural areas in Benue waste the surplus because there is no interest in the mango farming business.

Surprisingly, during the dry season, these mangoes become scarce in Nigeria since they are converted into juice packs and exported.

WHO INTRODUCED MANGO TO NIGERIA?

Mangoes were introduced to East Africa by the Persians in the 10th century, then to West Africa and eventually Nigeria by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

HOW MANY MANGO VARIETIES DO WE HAVE IN NIGERIA?

In Nigeria, there are eight different types of mango. These are some examples:

1. Mango from Benue (The sweetest type of mango)

2. Mango Cotonou

3. German Mangoes

4. Peter Mango

5. Julie Mango

6. Ogbomosho / Enugu / Eastern / Normal / Calabar / Abuja / Opioro mango (The best kind for preparing mango juices)

7. Sheri Mango

8. Mango Kerosene

CONCLUSION

Because there is little competition in the mango farming business in Nigeria, you will almost certainly succeed if you follow the methods mentioned above.