Plantains do not have a growing season and are, therefore, available year-round, especially on irrigated farmland. This makes them a reliable food source.
Which month plantain is best in Nigeria?
September
September is the best month to plant plantain in Nigeria.
How many months does plantain grow?
Plantain takes about 8 months to start to yield and about 3 months to mature. That’s to say, it takes about a year to have the first harvest from the planting date.
Where are plantains mostly grown?
Plantains are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific.
When should plantains be harvested?
The harvest is carried out manually around 3 to 4 months after flowering, and continues throughout the year. Bunches will keep for between 15 and 30 days, depending on when they are harvested. Since plantain bananas are fragile, sensitive to shocks and changes in temperature, they must be transported with care.
What time of the year does plantain grow?
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous perennial, medicinal herb | Water Needs: |
|---|---|---|
| Season: | Spring-fall | Soil pH: |
| Exposure: | Full sun to partial shade | Soil Drainage: |
| Time to Maturity: | 90-120 days | Tolerance: |
| Spacing: | 1 foot | Attracts: |
How profitable is plantain business?
Is plantain cultivation really profitable? In the open market, a bunch of plantain costs about N750 to N2,000 if you are selling to the final consumers directly without processing it. On one acre of land you can plant 750 plantain suckers and you sell them at an average of N1,000 per bunch then you will makeN750,000.
How many times can plantain be harvested in a year?
Each grown up plant would produce a minimum of three suckers, and if he could harvest one sucker from each and could sell at N100, the farmer would make additional N150,000. The harvest cycles continue for a minimum of four to six years, or more, depending on land rejuvenation system and farm maintenance practices.
How long does it take to grow a plantain tree?
Plantains come from the tropics, where they can grow almost year-round and flower and fruit at any time. In these conditions, they can bear fruit in as little as nine to twelve months after planting. In subtropics with frost-free winters, like Florida, it can take up to two years.
How often do plantain trees produce fruit?
How Long Does it Take For a Plantain Tree to Make Fruit? Plantains are usually ready for harvest anywhere from 14 to 20 months depending on the climate and other factors. Flowering usually happens within 10-15 months, while an additional 4-8 months is needed for fruit it develop and ripen.
What country eats the most plantains?
The countries with the highest volumes of plantain consumption in 2018 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.5M tonnes), Cameroon (4.8M tonnes) and Ghana (4.1M tonnes), together comprising 59% of total consumption.
Can you eat plantain raw?
Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter.
Which country is the largest producer of plantain?
Cameroon
Cameroon is leading the plantain production with 4.3 million tons, followed by Ghana (just under 4 million tons), Uganda (3.7 mio tons), Colombia (3.5 mio. tons) and Nigeria (3.1 mio tons). Philippines, Peru, Ivory Coast, Myanmar and Democratic Republic of Congo complete the top 10.
How long do plantains stay green?
If you buy them green, they will take about a week to start to change colors. It will take another three days to turn yellow green and another two or three days to change to the final yellow and black. Plantains are harvested when they are green, at which point the flavor is earthy, vegetal and funky, Diaz says.
Do bananas and plantains grow on the same tree?
Conclusion. Banana and Plantain Trees belong to the same family, and they are both herbaceous plants that grow in tropical places. They are difficult to tell apart, but they are different trees, and the fruits they produce are quite different from each other.
Can you freeze plantains?
Working one at a time while the plantains are still warm. Place them on a large plate, and let cool off. Place in a freezer bag and place in the refrigerator. Frozen Plantains will last in a well working freezer for 4 – 6 weeks.
Can you smoke plantain leaves?
Can you smoke plantain leaves? The North American wild herb, plantain (Plantago major), helps reduce cravings for cigarettes. That could be one of the main reasons it is being used in many commercial smoking cessation products. For long-term storage, use fresh or dry leaves to create an infused herbal oil.
Can I grow a plantain tree from a plantain?
Cut plantain bunches from the stalk with a knife when they are ripe. Chop the tree down to the ground and shred the above ground parts for mulch. Spread this around your new plantain tree after you plant it.
What is the difference between banana and plantain?
Plantains are usually larger and tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin. They may be green, yellow, or very dark brown. Plantains are starchier than bananas and not very sweet when green. When ripe, they are sweeter and become more so when cooked.
How much does it cost to start a plantain plantation?
Investment Returns
| INVESTMENT PACKAGE | INITIAL INVESTMENT | RETURN ON INVESTMENT (Calculated on your net profit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 HECTARE PLANTAIN PLANTATION | 2,376,482.00 | 35% |
| 1 ACRE PLANTAIN PLANTATION | 1,092,368.20 | 29% |
How much do plantain farmers make?
5 billion annually. However, millions of naira is being generated through plantain farming as individual farmers, both young and old, are making nothing less than N2 million to N3 million and above annually depending on the plantain suckers planted, hectares of land and how the farm is being managed.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.