I am Itohan from Ibadan. Thanks for your numerous write ups on agriculture, May God bless your efforts. I am interested in dry season production of uwgu and okra, but I don’t know when to start. When is the best time to start?
ANS :  The best time to make money from vegetable production is during the dry season when demand is more than supply, this is because most farmers especially in the southern practice rain fed agriculture. The best time to start is between October and November.

Q2. I am interested in Snail Farming and Grass cutter. Please which housing unit can you recommend and when is the best time to start. Can I get the parent stock from your organization?
Mrs Oladele.
ANS: There are different housing units for raising snails. These are
1. Wooden cage - for small scale snail farming
2. Concrete pen 
3. Open range system.

For a medium scale farm I recommend the concrete pen covered with mosquito net and wire mesh.
The best time to start a snail farm is now. This is because snails usually lay more eggs during the rainy season, eat more and grow rapidly. We do sell the breeding stock at the rate of N1,800 per dozen with minimum order of 200 pieces. The ideal number to start a snail farm is 200 for a small scale farm. 1000 – 2,000 medium size snails for medium scale and 3,000 and above for a commercial snail farm.

Q3. Please I wish to know your seminar programme schedules for the rest of the year. I missed the one you held in Ilorin. Thanks.
Olayiwola Adeyemi.
ANS : Sir, for now we partner with organizations, churches and groups for training programmes. So our training schedule depends on who we are partnering with. Churches, organizations and student groups can partner with us to train their members at an affordable fee. For further information please call 08052069264.

Q4. Tomi, more grease to your elbow. To become member of Urban Farmers Network, what is the annual fee.
ANS: The Urban Farmers Network is a network initiated by CUAD to create a forum for urban farmers to exchange ideas, link farmers to buyers and also update members on new and improved methods of production and also expose members to several multi-million naira business opportunities in Agriculture. The annual fee is N2,500.

Q5. Mrs Olatoye, please what is the Yoruba name for Moringa Oleifera?.
ANS: Moringa Oleifera is not a native plant and are called different names in different countries. The several names of Moringa Oleifera are ‘Drum Stick’ in India, ‘Tree of Life’ or ‘Miracle Tree’ in some countries; ‘Never Die’ tree in Ghana; ‘Igi –Iyaanu’ in Yoruba, and ‘Mothers Best Food’ in Senegal .

Q6. I read part of your article on the benefits of Moringa Oleifera, how do I get the seedlings.
Ola Ojutiku, Ibadan.
ANS: The seedlings are available with some of our agents in Ibadan, Lokoja, Lagos and Akure. Please call 08052069264 to order for your Moringa seedlings.

Q7. I am really excited about the plant Moringa and eager to plant as many as possible but my fear is how do I make money from the tree. Tomi, kindly give me detailed information of the prospect of the Moringa plant.
Mr. Omoyeni.
ANS: Moringa is a plant for now and the future. Moringa is a plant that every part of it is useful. The leaves can be processed into Moringa spice, capsules, tablets and Moringa tea. All these serve as food supplements; some Nigerians are already processing and packaging as spice and tea. The Moringa seeds can be used to purify water. The seeds can also be eaten raw as worm dispeller. Oil can also be extracted from the seed. The bark can be processed to produce anti bacterial cream. All these are also exportable products. To mark the World Food Day on the 16th of October the CUAD will be organizing an awareness programme/practical workshop on the many uses of Moringa and how Nigerians can earn good money from Moringa Oleifera.

Q8. I came across your article last month on Quail Birds. Please I want to start a quail bird farm but how do I sell the eggs and the birds?
ANS : Quail meat is not part of our menu in this part of the world so it is like introducing a new product to Nigerians. This can be effectively done by informing people on the nutritional values of Quail meat.

Quail meat is lean meat and has no cholesterol, the meat is good for people that are hypertensive. Give out some of the eggs to your friends and neighbours. Prepare quail meat delicacy also. I became a quail farmer simply because I tasted the egg and found it delicious. I am working on packaging frozen quail meat, smoked quail meat and quail meat pepper soup.

Stay blessed and happy farming!