Small holder Castor seeds farmers in Africa form strategic alliance to generate market.

Clusters of small holder Castor seeds farmers in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi Uganda and Kenya have recently instituted a strong front to drive traffic to their Castor seeds produce.

Access to offtakers and the industrial market for their produce has posed a long time challenge to outgrowers of Castor seeds leading to poor bargains and slavish labour to exploitative contractors.

Castor Business Network gathered from the leadership of this new collaboration of outgrowers and producers of Castor seeds in 5 countries, who cordinates the activities of farmers and farmers market in their locations that a synergy has been formed recently in a meeting held in Kenya, which would improve the ROI, proceeds from Castor seeds sales and welfare of small holder farmers in Africa.

The group officially known as Castor Oil Processing for Export (COPEX) projects in Africa is an alliance of Castor seeds farmers, producers’ organizations, processors, and exporters to strengthen the Castor oil value chain at all levels.

This new collaboration comprehensively addresses challenges in the Castor oil sector by pooling their resources together to enhance the industry.

"Our activities includes training and capacity building for Small holder farmers, producers and processors of Castor oil Africa, increasing access to finance and inputs, and increasing opportunities to market, providing linkages to market information, and brand recognition." Says the President of COPEX, Mr. Chiegeonu Aga.

Comments

Types of weeds that attack castor crops and their remedies.

These are the types of weeds that attack castor crops and their remedies: Types of Weeds: * Broadleaf Weeds: * Amaranthus viridis * Boerhaavia diffusa * Celosia argentena * Portulaca oleracea * Trianthema portulacastrum * Digera arvensis * Corchorus olitorius * Cyanotis cucullata * Cleome viscosa * Commelina bengalensis * Croton sparsiflorus * Parthenium hysterophorus * Grasses: * Chloris barbata * Cynodon dactylon * Dactyloctenium aegyptium * Bracharia reptens * Panicum flavidum * Sedges: * Cyperus rotundus * Cyperus esculentus Remedies : & Cultural Practices: * Intercultivation: Using tractor or bullock-drawn blade harrows, especially 20 to 60 days after seeding, is effective. * Manual Wee...

Land Preparation in Castor seeds farming

Land preparation for castor seed farming involves more than just ploughing and harrowing. Here's a breakdown of the key activities: 👉 Ploughing and Harrowing: These are fundamental steps to loosen the soil, break up clods, and create a suitable seedbed. 👉Weed Removal: It's crucial to eliminate existing weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and water. 👉Soil Enrichment: Adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, improves soil fertility and structure. Soil testing and the application of necessary fertilizers may also be required. 👉Leveling and Bedding: Leveling the land ensures even water distribution. Forming ridges and furrows can aid in drainage and irrigation. 👉Preparation for Sowing: Creating a pulverized seed bed, that is loose, and friable. 👉 Drainage considerations: Because Castor plants do not like water logged soils, ensu...

Guidelines for Castor Seed Cultivation in Africa for Beginners

Castor bean is a resilient plant that thrives in various African climates. It's known for its oil-rich seeds, which have numerous industrial applications. Here's a basic guide to cultivating castor beans for beginners: Climate and Soil Requirements * Climate: Castor beans prefer warm, tropical climates. They can tolerate drought but require adequate moisture for optimal growth. * Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal. However, castor beans can adapt to a wide range of soil types. Seed Preparation * Scarification: The hard seed coat can be difficult for germination. To improve germination rates, nick the seed coat with a file or sandpaper. * Soaking: Soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours can also help soften the seed coat. Planting * Spacing: Plant seeds directly in the ground, spacing them about 2-3 feet apart. * Depth: Cover the seeds with about 1 inch of soil. * Timing: The best time to plant is d...

CastorBusiness-News™

Search This Blog