Bitter Kola farming agrobusiness, by Agbaji Chinedu
Today’s Agribusiness
Bitter kola farming will make you rich within a few years, because of its importance and high demand; it has become a very expensive and lucrative product. We have fewer/lesser numbers of bitter kola farmers. This is because it takes a longer time before harvesting the fruits may be up to 7 years and above. But with improved research, you can plant and harvest bitter kola between 4-5 years.
However, cultivating bitter kola from seeds take many years to mature. Grafting of hybrid bitter kola will take a shorter time.
Sometimes the pod can contain 2, 3 or even 1 seed; the number of seeds it contained determined the size of the bitter kola fruit.
Land Preparation
Cut grasses and trees mechanise the soil and make it arable for farming. The soil should be sandy-loam or heavy clayey loam rich in organic matter. PH of 5.0 (neutral) – 6.5 (alkaline) is ideal for bitter kola farming. The processes involved in the cultivation of bitter cola can be likened to that of farming Cherry, cashew nut farming e.t.c Bitter kola grows well in wet soil and so require a temperature of 26°C-28°C.
Cultivation
Bitter kola can be propagated through seed and grafting. Plant the seeds in situ by staking and the stump under shade for 3 years. The seeds should be sown quickly after harvest because it has a short viability period.
Germination of fresh seed is about 50% after 3 months of planting. At 7-8 months all the viable seeds would have germinated. But in the nursery, the seeds continue to germinate till 18 months with about a 75% germination rate. Germination of the seed has been a major challenge to increase germination to about 90% and above use alcohol (ethanol solution) to soak the seeds for 1-2 hours before planting.
Spacing is 10m×10m or 12m×12m.
Weeding
Weeding can be done manually or through the use of herbicides. If you allow weeds it will cause; stunted growth, and pest and disease damage. Weeding can be done every 3 months in the first 4 years; this is if you are planting multiple bitter kola seedlings.
Application of Fertilizer
Like any other plant, bitter kola plantation should be fertilized every six months and also when the soil is deficient in any nutrient.
Pest/Disease Control
Insects attack pods so harvest them on time. Use pesticides to control. Use neem oil ones in a while.
Harvesting
The fruits turn yellow or orange when ripe and mature for harvest. They will start falling on their own; it bursts and splits their contents on the soil. You can as well harvest them yourself by plucking the pods. Grafted bitter kola can fruit at 10-12m height. Bitter kola is available from the April-October harvest every year after the first harvest.
Uses of Bitter Kola
- It has so many uses; traditionally believes people use it in marriages, welcoming of visitors etc.
- The nut is used in the production of drinks (brewery), the more reason it is demanded in large quantities in international markets.
- It's also use in the production of many drugs.
Conclusion
Start bitter kola farming today for a lifetime investment. Hybrid bitter kola will start fruiting in 3 years, not like the traditional seedlings that takes up to 8 years.
Agbaji Chinedu writes from Kaduna and can be reached via 08035004617.
