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A successful farming season doesn’t start when the seeds go into the ground, it starts long before that, right at the farm. Proper land clearing, tillage, and soil treatment are the first steps to ensuring your crops grow healthy and strong. Let’s break it down in simple steps.

 1. Clearing Your Land

Before planting, your farm must be free from weeds, old crops, and debris. This helps your new crops get enough sunlight, water, and nutrients. Clearing also reduces places where pests and diseases can hide.

Tips:

i. Remove all large plants, roots, and stones.

ii. Cut down weeds and grass that could compete with your crops.

iii. Use a hoe, cutlass, or tractor depending on the size of your farm.

2. Tillage: Preparing the Soil

Tillage is the process of turning and loosening the soil. It makes the soil soft so roots can grow easily and helps water reach the plants. Proper tillage also mixes in leftover plant matter, which adds nutrients to the soil.

Tips:

i. Use a plough, hoe, or tractor for tillage.

ii. Break large soil clumps to create a fine, even seedbed.

iii. Avoid over-tilling, which can damage soil structure.

3. Soil Treatment: Making Your Soil Ready

Healthy soil grows healthy crops. Soil treatment involves adding fertilizers, compost, or other organic materials to give your plants the nutrients they need. It also balances the soil’s pH and protects against diseases.

Tips:

i. Test your soil if possible to know what nutrients it needs.

ii. Add compost or organic manure to improve fertility.

iii. Apply recommended fertilizers carefully to avoid burning your crops.

There’s a Simpler Way…

While all the steps above are important for creating the right environment for your crops, manual land clearing can be tiring and time-consuming. Thankfully, with the right herbicides, you can reduce the stress of land preparation and avoid unnecessary hard labour.

Saro Agrosciences offers a range of effective herbicides that help farmers clear their land with ease. Products like Slasher, Slasher Super, Slasha Gold, Gobara, Uproot, and Sarosate are specially formulated to tackle everything from grasses, broadleaves, shrubs and other stubborn weeds. With these solutions, you can save time, cut costs, and preserve your energy for the next stages of farming.

The best part is that even farmers with small land sizes and limited budgets can benefit. The sachet pack options for these products are cost-effective and still deliver excellent results, making them a smart choice for farmers working with fewer resources.

Remember, the work you do before planting often determines how successful your harvest will be. Take time to prepare your land properly, and your crops will thank you.

If you’ve been farming for even one season, you already know insects don’t joke. One day, your maize is green and shining, the next day, armyworms have turned it into a buffet. Or you’re storing beans, and within a few weeks, weevils start poking holes. Very annoying, right? That’s why insecticides exist, to protect your sweat and hard work.

But here’s the thing: insecticides are like sharp cutlasses. Very useful, but dangerous if you don’t use them well. Helping you use them well is all we aim to discuss in this blog, but first…

Why do farmers need insecticides?

Simple: insects reduce your harvest, reduce your profit, and can even spread diseases. Imagine planting cassava, only for mealybugs to suck it dry, or losing tomatoes to whiteflies just before market day. Painful! Insecticides help stop that. They also keep mosquitoes and houseflies under control at home.

Different types you’ll find

Not all insecticides work the same way. Here are the common ones:

• Contact insecticides – kill insects once they touch them.
• Systemic insecticides – go inside the plant, so when insects suck or chew, that’s the end.
• Residual insecticides – stay on the crop or soil for a while, giving you longer protection.
• Natural insecticides – things like neem-based products. They are softer on the environment and safer for you too.

How to use insecticides the smart way

Using insecticides is not just about “mix and spray.” If you want results, here are some golden tips:

1. Know your enemy. Not every insect is bad. Bees and ladybirds are your friends. Don’t kill your helpers.
2. Check the label. Every bottle or sachet comes with instructions. Follow it. Don’t think “if I add more, it will work faster.” Overdose can spoil your crops or even harm you.
3. Protect yourself. Cover your hands, nose, and mouth. Don’t spray against the wind. Safety first, always.
4. Spray at the right time. Morning or evening is best — the sun is not too hot, and insects are more active.
5. Keep it safe. Store chemicals far away from children, food, and drinking water.

Wrapping up,

Think of insecticides like medicine for your farm. If you are sick, you don’t swallow a whole pack of drugs at once, you take the right dose. Same with your farm. Use the right chemical, at the right time, in the right way. That’s how you protect your crops, harvest more, and smile to the market.

For many farmers, harvest is the happiest time of the season. But it can also be the most frustrating. You’ve worked hard and invested time and money, yet after selling your crops, you realize the money isn’t enough. This happens more often than you think, and the reasons are not always bad farming. Many times, the loss comes after the harvest.

The good news is with a few changes, you can protect your effort and increase your income. Here’s how.

1. Protect Your Crops with Better Storage

Poor storage is one of the biggest silent thieves of farm profit. Grain gets eaten by weevils, cassava spoils, and tomatoes rot. By the time you take them to market, you’ve lost a good portion.

What you can do:

* Dry grains properly before bagging.

* Raise bags off the ground with wood or stones to avoid dampness.

* Use improved storage bags or silos if you can afford them. Even simple practices like sealing bags tightly or keeping stores clean can save you a lot.

2. Avoid Selling in a Rush

It’s normal to want quick cash at harvest. School fees, debts, and household needs push many farmers to sell everything immediately. Unfortunately, that’s when the market is flooded and prices are lowest.

What you can do:

* Sell a small portion immediately for urgent needs.

* Keep the rest in storage and sell later when prices rise.

* If possible, join farmer cooperatives. Selling in bulk gives you stronger bargaining power.

3. Handle Transport with Care

Sometimes the loss is not in the farm, but on the road. Bags tear, fruits squash, or trucks overload, making the harvest half-spoiled by the time they arrive.

What you can do:

* Use the right packaging (plastic crates for tomatoes instead of raffia baskets).

* Avoid overloading vehicles.

* If hiring transport, remind handlers to treat your produce with care—because every bag is money.

4. Know Your Market Before You Sell

Many farmers depend on middlemen who dictate prices. Without market information, you might end up selling too cheap.

What you can do:

* Ask fellow farmers about current prices.

* Listen to radio programs or use apps (where available) that share daily market rates.

* Build direct relationships with buyers such as millers, traders, or processors.

Wrapping up,

Farming is not just about planting and harvesting. It’s also about planning what happens next. Think of it this way: your farm doesn’t pay you in crops, it pays you in cash from the crops. The more you protect, store, and sell wisely, the more your hard work truly pays off.

Remember, small improvements like better storage patient selling, and careful transport can mean the difference between just surviving and truly earning from your farm.

In Nigeria, the farming year doesn’t end with the rains. The dry season usually sets in around late September in some regions and early November in others. For many farmers, this change is seen as a resting period, but the truth is that dry-season farming can be one of the most rewarding times of the year. Crops that are scarce during these months often sell at premium prices, and farmers who prepare early are the ones who reap the benefits.

The challenge is that dry season farming requires a different kind of planning. Unlike the rainy season, when nature helps you with water and soil moisture, the dry season demands more from you as a farmer. That’s why preparing early, before October, is the smartest move you can make. Here are some practical steps to help you get your farm ready.

1. Secure Your Water Source Early

Water is the lifeline of dry-season farming. If your farm doesn’t have a reliable water source, it will be very difficult to succeed. This is the time to check your borehole, stream, river, or irrigation canal. If you rely on pumps, pipes, or tanks, make sure they are in good working condition before planting begins. Farmers who wait until November often face delays or even lose weeks of planting time because of broken pumps or long queues for water. Remember: crops don’t wait.

2. Pick the Right Crops for the Season

Not every crop is suitable for the dry season. Focus on crops that mature quickly and are in high demand during these months. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, leafy vegetables, and maize are some of the most common and profitable choices. These crops usually fetch higher prices because supply is limited in the dry season while demand remains high. Choosing wisely can be the difference between breaking even and making a solid profit.

3. Prepare Your Land Before the Rains Stop

Land preparation is often overlooked, but it plays a big role in how well your crops perform. Don’t wait until the rains are completely gone. Start clearing, ploughing, and ridging your land early. This gives you time to add organic manure or compost, improve the soil structure, and treat against pests and diseases before planting. Farmers who prepare early usually face less stress later and have crops that establish better once planted.

4. Stock Up on Inputs Before the Rush

Every farmer knows that once the dry season approaches, prices of seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals begin to climb. Fake products also start flooding the market. September is the perfect time to buy your inputs; not only do you save money, but you also reduce the risk of getting substandard materials. Waiting until everyone else is buying often leaves you with higher costs and fewer options.

5. Plan Your Market Before You Plant

One of the biggest mistakes farmers make is to focus only on planting and leave marketing for later. Farming doesn’t end in the field; it ends when your crops are sold. Before you plant, take time to talk to local buyers, traders, processors, or even neighbors who might need your produce. Having a ready buyer ensures you won’t be forced to sell at throwaway prices when your crops mature. Think of it as planting with a clear destination in mind.

6. Take Advantage of Dry-Season Opportunities

Dry-season farming may sound like hard work, but the opportunities are huge. This is the season when vegetables are scarce, when fresh maize fetches double its usual price, and when households are willing to pay more for quality produce. With proper preparation, you not only keep your farm active but also create a steady flow of income while others are waiting for the rains to return.

If you take these steps now, you’ll position yourself to harvest profit when others are winding down. The dry season may look challenging, but with good preparation, it can be your most productive season of the year. We wish you all the best!

Black pod disease is one of the biggest threats to cocoa production across West Africa. Many farmers have seen healthy pods turn black almost overnight, losing a large part of their harvest. The truth is, black pod is dangerous, but it can be managed if spotted early.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to identify the first signs of black pod, understand how it spreads, and share simple steps you can take to protect your farm.

What is Black Pod Disease?

Black pod disease is caused by fungi from the Phytophthora group. These fungi thrive in warm, wet, and humid conditions, exactly the kind of weather cocoa grows best in. Once the fungus infects a pod, it rots quickly and becomes useless for processing.

If not controlled, black pod can destroy 30% to 90% of your harvest in one season.

Why Early Detection is Important

Every farmer knows prevention is cheaper than cure. The earlier you notice black pod, the easier and less costly it is to control. Waiting too long means:

1. More pods get infected.
2. Sprays become less effective.
3. You risk losing a big share of your income.

Early Signs of Black Pod to Look Out For

When walking through your cocoa farm, check your pods carefully. Here are the main things to watch for:

1. Brown or dark spots on green pods.

2. Water-soaked or soft areas as if the pod has been bruised.

3. Rapid blackening (the brown patch spreads until the pod turns fully black).

4. Rotting before maturity (i.e., pods spoil while still young).

5. White fungal growth (in very humid or rainy conditions, you may see a white layer of fungus on the infected pod).

If you notice any of these signs, act immediately.

What to Do if You Spot Black Pod

Here are simple steps to control black pod early:

* Remove and destroy infected pods: cut off infected pods and bury them away from the farm.

* Prune and weed regularly: keep the farm clean and airy to reduce humidity.

* Spray fungicides correctly: use recommended fungicides at the right intervals, especially during the rainy season. For cocoa, we recommend Mackeknie Gold or Mackeknie Extra for controlling black pod infection in cocoa.

* Harvest frequently: don’t leave ripe pods hanging too long.

* Improve drainage: avoid stagnant water around your farm.

Long-Term Prevention

* Plant resistant cocoa varieties where possible.

* Train your workers to identify early symptoms.

* Stick to a seasonal fungicide program, not just emergency spraying.

* Practice farm hygiene throughout the year.

Wrapping up,

Black pod is a tough enemy, but it’s not unbeatable. By checking your pods regularly, acting fast, and maintaining good farm practices, you can protect your cocoa and secure your harvest.

Remember: a few minutes of inspection today can save you months of hard work tomorrow.

When people hear “land clearing,” they usually picture bulldozers ripping through forests or farmers setting the entire fields on fire. For some, it’s the villain of environmental destruction. For others, it’s simply a quick, no-questions-asked step before farming or construction.

The truth is more complex. Land clearing isn’t inherently bad, it’s the methods and management that make all the difference. Misconceptions, especially about herbicides and other clearing practices, often cloud the conversation and lead to harmful choices on the ground.

Let’s break down some of the most common myths and uncover what really works.

Myth 1: Land clearing is always destructive

The word “clearing” tends to paint a mental image of bulldozers flattening everything in sight. But not all land clearing is reckless. Methods such as selective clearing (removing only specific trees or bushes), mulching, and the use of targeted herbicides can prepare land while protecting soil structure, reducing erosion, and preserving valuable vegetation. Sustainable land clearing is not about wiping land bare; it’s about making land usable without stripping it of life.

Myth 2: Burning is the cheapest and best way to clear land

Across many farming communities, bush burning remains the go-to method of clearing. It’s fast, requires minimal equipment, and appears to be cost-effective. But the hidden costs are heavy: nutrient loss in the soil, release of carbon emissions, and destruction of beneficial organisms. While it may feel cheap in the moment, burning often reduces land productivity in the long run. Alternatives, such as controlled use of herbicides, are safer for both the soil and the surrounding environment, which brings us to the next point.

Myth 3: Herbicides ruin the land

Herbicides often have a bad reputation, typically due to stories of misuse, such as spraying excessively, ignoring recommended guidelines, or using unapproved products. The truth is, when used correctly, land-clearing herbicides are a controlled and effective tool. They suppress unwanted vegetation without destroying soil structure, unlike burning or repeated tillage.

At Saro Agrosciences, we are committed to ensuring that our farmers have access to only the best and safest products. Hence, the reason we constantly reassess and improve our active ingredients. Currently, with some of our land-clearing herbicides, specifically, Slasher, Slasher Super, and Slasher Gold, we have replaced the previous active ingredient (Paraquat) with a safer and more environmentally friendly option (Glufosinate), to keep you and your crops safe while still saving labour, improving efficiency, and making land preparation more sustainable.

Myth 4: Manual clearing is always the safer option

Manual methods; using cutlasses, hoes, or slashers, are often said to be the “natural” way to clear land. But they can be labour-intensive, slow, and impractical for large areas. Over-clearing manually can also expose soil to erosion if not done carefully. A balanced approach that combines manual clearing for sensitive areas and herbicides or mechanical methods for broader spaces is often more efficient and sustainable.

Myth 5: Once the land is cleared, the job is done

Clearing is only the first step. Without follow-up measures, newly cleared land can degrade quickly. Effective land management requires soil conservation practices, cover cropping, and careful monitoring to prevent invasive weeds from reestablishing themselves. Sustainable land use means thinking beyond the initial clearing and planning for long-term productivity.

Wrapping up,

Land clearing is not inherently bad, it’s the practices around it that determine whether it’s destructive or sustainable. Herbicides, when properly applied, can play a valuable role in modern land preparation. By moving past myths and embracing responsible practices, farmers, communities, and policymakers can ensure that land clearing supports growth without costing the environment.

Legumes are profitable. Whether you’re a smallholder farmer looking to boost income, a trader seeking fast-moving commodities, or an agribusiness investor searching for scalable opportunities, legumes offer a smart path forward.

Why? Because they’re versatile. Nigerians eat them, export them, use them for animal feed, and process them into everything from cooking oil to baby food. Legumes also enrich the soil, making them an ideal addition to crop rotation systems, especially in a country where fertiliser costs keep rising.

But not all legumes are equal when it comes to market value. Some are in steady demand year-round, others spike seasonally, and a few are quietly becoming Nigeria’s next agri-cash crop. So, which ones are truly worth your time, land, and investment?

Here are the top 5 legumes currently in high demand across Nigerian markets:

1. Soybeans

Why it’s in demand:
Nigeria’s growing food processing industry can’t get enough soybeans. It’s a key ingredient in baby food, cooking oil, livestock feed, and even plant-based milk.

Soybeans grow well in the North and parts of the Middle Belt. If you can time your planting well with the rains and keep weeds under control, the returns are solid, especially when sold in bulk.

Who’s buying:

• Feed millers
• Oil producers
• Exporters (especially to Asia and North Africa)

2. Cowpea (White Beans)

Why it’s in demand:
Cowpea (Beans) is a Nigerian kitchen essential. From Akara to moi-moi and rice-and-beans, they’re everywhere. White beans are especially preferred in most homes and restaurants. Cowpea prices usually shoot up during the dry season. Consider storing and selling later for better profits.

Who’s buying:

• Local markets (steady demand)
• Food vendors and bulk caterers
• Exporters (especially to neighbouring West African countries)

3. Groundnut (Peanut)

Why it’s in demand:
Besides being a household snack, groundnut is used for oil production, animal feed, and confectionery. It’s a multi-use crop with strong value chain opportunities. For instance, groundnut cakes (kuli-kuli) are in high demand in the north and some southwestern states, and processing them can add extra income.

Who’s buying:

• Oil mills
• Snack manufacturers
• Exporters (especially for raw shelled nuts)

4. Bambara Nut (Okpa)

Why it’s in demand:
Bambara thrives in poor soils and is drought-tolerant, making it a low-risk, high-reward crop in the right zones. Though less mainstream compared to other legumes on this list, Bambara nut is gaining traction, especially in the South East and parts of the South-South, for its use in making Okpa, a popular delicacy.

Who’s buying:

• Local processors and food sellers
• Nutritionists and food companies (for its high protein profile)
• Exporters targeting niche African food markets

5. Pigeon Pea (Fio-fio)

Why it’s in demand:
Popular in parts of the East and Middle Belt, pigeon pea (fio-fio) is gradually entering urban food markets due to rising interest in local delicacies and healthier eating. Demand spikes during cultural festivals and off-season periods. With some storage, you can cash in big.

Who’s buying:

• Local markets in the East
• Urban grocers and health-conscious consumers
• Exporters (especially to India and Caribbean markets)

Wrapping up,

As food inflation rises and Nigerians become more intentional about their food choices and cultivation, legumes will continue to play a key role. They are nutritious, profitable, and sustainable, a rare trio in today’s farming world.

So whether you’re planting, processing, trading, or exporting, these 5 legumes should be on your radar. Start small, study your market, and grow smart. The demand is already there, what’s left is for you to plug in.