Oil palm production in Nigeria: a step-by step guide

I received lots of requests for a guide on oil palm cultivation in Nigeria, so I have made this guide. It’s a step-by-step guide as straight to the point as can be.

Here we go;

1. I need you to know that this is not a small-scale investment. If you’re going to start an oil palm production, you better start it big.
2. Land: oil palm is a permanent crop so you either buy your own land or take up a long term lease. Emphasis on long term. I would say about 10ha and above. Oil palm grows best in deep, well drained, medium textured, non-gravelly and non-lateritic soil.
3. Seed: use the Tenera Extension Work Seeds (EWS). Tenera is a much favoured variety these days compared to Dura and Pisifera because it is characterized by a balanced percentage of oil and kernel. EWS are sprouted seeds and are recommended in order to prevent planting the seed upside down. Take care not to damage the radicle or plumule.
4. Seed purchase: The Extension Work Seeds (EWS) can be obtained from Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Benin, Edo State.
5. Nursery: oil palm seeds are not planted directly in the field. The seeds are first raised in a nursery before the seedlings are transferred to the main field.
6. First, you need to know that the nursery site should be located where it can be easily accessed all year round; the reason for this is to reduce transportation time and distance between the nursery and the planting site. The best site for an oil palm nursery is one with a flat well drained plane surface.
7. Fill black polythene bags to the top with well-structured top soil, preferably sandy loam or loam. The soil is made firm by watering for at least a week before planting. 
8. Start your nursery by mid-April and end in June when the rains have become regular.
9. The sprouted EWSs should be sown directly into the polyethylene bags at the depth of 2.5cm. Immediately after sowing, the bags should be mulched with partially shredded palm bunch, palm fronds or dry grass.
10. You may arrange polyethylene bags in square formations of 45 x 45cm spacing, this spacing allows for about 40,000 seedlings per hectare.
11. Transplanting: The seedlings should be 10 – 12 months when they are transplanted.
12. Transplanting of the oil palm seedlings begin as soon as the rains become regular between April and June and is completed at least 2 months before the rains cease.
13. A very common method for transplanting oil palm seedlings from the nursery to the main field is the Ball-of-Earth method. This method involves transplanting the seedling while leaving the soil around the root.
14. A 9m x 9m x 9m triangular planting space will give a minimum of 142 oil palm stands per hectare; and if you notice any missing oil palm stands after a while, replanting can be carried out on the second year.
15. Soil fertility management: oil palm has a nutrient requirement, but ensure to apply these nutrients based on a soil test. You may likely need NPK Mg in the ratio 12:12:17:2 applied at the rate of 14g per seedling at two and eight months after planting, but if your soil is highly fertile, then you will need less.
16. Water management: it’s easy, water should be available all year. When you eventually start, call me to discuss all about irrigation scheduling.
17. Weed Management: get rid of the weeds simple.
18. Pests and diseases: always be on the lookout. Regular crop monitoring and field inspections are very important because early observation of pest and disease outbreak is important in reducing damage.
19. Harvest: It may take about 4 years for Tenera to yield its first fruits. Consider inter-cropping the oil palm with an annual crop such as cassava during the first 3 years, that way you can make some money while you wait for your oil palm trees to reach maturity.
20. Still on harvest: To ensure a high quality produce always harvest the ripe fruit bunches early when they are still fresh.

Truth be told, this guide does not incorporate every single knowledge you need for a successful oil palm production in Nigeria. This is only a lite version but it covers the basics and gives you an idea what to really except.