Clearing land is a major milestone in the planting season; it marks the beginning of the farming journey. But what many local farmers don’t realise is that land clearing is just the first step. The real groundwork for a successful farm begins immediately after.
If you have just cleared your land and you are asking yourself, “What’s next?”, this guide is for you. Here are the four crucial steps you must take to turn your cleared land into a thriving farm:
1. Land preparation
After land clearing and herbicide application, your land would require further preparation. Often, this might include removing roots and large debris left from clearing, creating a proper drainage system to prevent waterlogging, levelling the land if necessary to avoid erosion and support even crop growth, and ridging or mounding the soil depending on your crop type (e.g., yam mounds or vegetable beds).
Think of this as preparing a clean, fertile bed for your crops to sleep and grow in.
2. Soil testing (Helps you know your ground and ascertain nutrient levels)
Before you plant a single seed, you need to understand your soil. Clearing often disrupts the natural balance of nutrients and soil structure. Specifically, conductinga simple soil test will give you adequate information about the pH levels, nutrient content (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium), organic matter percentage, and help you determine if there is any special need for the addition of fertilizers.
3. Choose the right seed
After preparing the land and testing your soil, the next thing to do is planting. However, not every crop is suited to every soil or climate. To help, we recommend:
- Match crops to their corresponding soil types and seasons.
- Start with easy-to-grow, marketable crops if you’re new, such as maize, cassava, and okra.
- Think about market demand, especially if you are a commercial farmer. Think about the commercial value of the crops to be planted.
Pro tip: We highly recommend considering your planting calendar. Timing is everything, especially with Nigeria’s distinct rainy and dry seasons.
4. Invest in weed and pest management early
A newly cleared land is like an open invitation to weeds and pests, so it is important to take control measures very seriously from the get-go. Send us a message across our social media platforms, and we will be able to advise you on the right pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides, as well as insecticides and fungicides.
Note: Managing weeds and pests from day one saves you money, boosts yields, and reduces the need for emergency treatments later.
Clearing land is exciting, but do not stop there. Test, prepare, plant, and protect. These steps turn bare soil into abundant harvests, reliable income, and a farming legacy you can be proud of.
Ready to take the next step?
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