The cost of sorghum farming per hectare is ₦250,000 - ₦500,000. The cost of sorghum farming can vary widely. The variation can be due to factors like varieties of sorghum seeds planted, the use of irrigation systems, impact of pests and diseases and location of planting.
For instance, it is less costly to grow sorghum in the northern part of Nigeria than the southern part of Nigeria. This is due to the availability of cheap labour in the northern part of Nigeria.
Below is the cost of sorghum farming per hectare in Nigeria:
- Rent of one hectare farmland: ₦20,000
- Clearing, Ploughing and Harrowing: ₦55,000
- Seeds: ₦40,000
- Planting: ₦10,000
- Irrigation: ₦300,000 – ₦650,000 (Optional)
- Fertilizers and Manure: ₦20,000 – ₦100,000 (Depending on soil fertility)
- Pesticides: ₦20,000
- Others: ₦100,000
Factors that can affect the cost of sorghum farming per hectare in Nigeria
The following factors can affect the cost of sorghum farming per hectare in Nigeria:
Variety of Sorghum Seeds
The variety of sorghum seeds to be used for sorghum farming can impact the overall cost of sorghum farming. Some sorghum seeds are costlier than others.
Time of the year
It is cheapee to grow sorghum in the rainy season as irrigation is not usually needed. In the dry season, irrigation is needed for the planting of sorghum. The use of irrigation systems can be costly.
Pests and Diseases
The pressure of pests and diseases can increase the cost of sorghum farming. If the pressure of diseases and pests is high, the sorghum farmer will likely buy more pesticides, this will increase his overall cost of farming.
Soil Fertility
If your soil is fertile, you are likely to spend less on sorghum farming. Poor soil will need fertilizers, compost and manure, this can significantly increase the cost of sorghum farming.
Labour
If you grow sorghum in the northern part of Nigeria, you are likely to have access to cheap labour, unlike in the southern part of Nigeria where the cost of labour can be high.
The Use of Fertilizers
A lot of sorghum farmers in Nigeria do not use fertilizers, this makes the cost of planting sorghum cheaper, however, they often record low yields. The use of fertilizers can be costly but you will be compensated with high yields.
Do you grow sorghum in Nigeria? If yes, why not share your cost of growing sorghum with us in the comments’ section.
Buy our sorghum seeds here.
Buy Samsorg 45 seeds and Samsorg 46 seeds here.
Read our article on the best time to plant sorghum in Nigeria.