Gabo Agro

Gabo Agro Our goal is to prevent food wastage and ensure food security.

Gabo Agro wants to give you the best agricultural advice there is; from production to processing, to preservation, and distribution of all your farm produce, be it is crop, and/or livestock.

WANT TO STORE YAMS? HERE ARE 5 TIPS THAT WILL COME IN HANDYFor someone who was raised in Benue State, the largest produc...
21/02/2021

WANT TO STORE YAMS? HERE ARE 5 TIPS THAT WILL COME IN HANDY

For someone who was raised in Benue State, the largest producer of yam in Nigeria, I could say I have seen some of the biggest and sweetest yam tubers in the country. Yam is a staple in Benue. Some people fry it, boil it, pound it, roast it, or consume it as amala as in yam flour. I specially like to have roasted yam with sweet palm oil. Aside from the yumminess and distinct traditional flavor, it reminds me of my grandpa who always treated me to some slices of roasted yams, submerged in salted palm oil.

5 YAM STORAGE TIPS FROM AN EXPERIENCED YAM SELLER
Before I proceed with letting you in on some of the easy tricks to prolonging the shelf life of yams. Let me share a bit of my experience from selling yams.

About 4 years ago, I decided to venture into selling yams. I mean, I live in a part of the country where we have an abundance of these yams. I did a quick market survey and began to buy and resell to people who lived in places where yams are very expensive. I made an ad on my page and the orders began to come in.
I enjoy the business but it means many mornings of brawling with garage boys who now wear vests crested with the word “LOADER”. I got a firsthand experience which helped me better understand why Nigeria ranks quite low in the listing of countries by ease of doing business in them. And the problem of transportation of goods is one main reason

Just before the lockdown, we had hundreds of yams ready for dispatch when the restriction of interstate travels was enforced. Here are a few things I learnt about yam storage from that experience:
- Never buy big tubers if you want to store. The only time I would advice anyone to buy those pricy large tubers of yams is, if they want to impress their in-laws or consume it in a couple of days after buying. Why? The bigger the yam, the easier for it rot.
- Keep yams in well ventilated areas: Those tubers need air and do not do great in hot places. If you keep your yams in the kitchen, keep them away from the heat source with which you cook. Heat is bad for them and ventilation is one main reason why yams were stored in barns constructed with wood, bamboo, and thatch.
- Don’t stack yams on the floor. Always place them on elevated platforms. A table, shelf or something. If you don’t have any of such, use thick cartons. Place the cartons on the floor before putting the yams atop them
- Keep the rodents out.
- Always cut off the tendrils which begin to shoot out after several weeks of storage. No, it is not the yam growing to give you more yams, it is the moisture getting out to leave you with hard slices when you finally want to cook them.

Want to buy yams? Leave a comment and I will reach out to you.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER REPLACING YOUR MELON SEEDS WITH BENISEEDMost of us have come to love the bright yellow bowl of m...
21/11/2020

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER REPLACING YOUR MELON SEEDS WITH BENISEED

Most of us have come to love the bright yellow bowl of melon seeds soup which is locally known as egusi soup. One can begin to salivate at the sight of the beautiful contrast of fresh green veggies against sweet palm oil with beef, stockfish and diced ponmo submerged in it. How else would one describe this other than delicious? I love egusi soup, especially when there is a plate of smooth pounded yam or soft eba made from yellow garri to accompany it. The combination is not just filling, it is tasty but then tasty does not always mean healthy.

Beniseed, also known as sesame seeds is not very common. They are a whitish dot-size seeds which are very nutritious and surprisingly cheaper, perhaps because the demand is low (remember the law of demand and supply?). I grew up to know these seeds as snacks which could be eaten raw, roasted and eaten with peanuts, or used as a substitute for egusi in soups. So, when the cost of egusi went up, poor families turned to beniseed. When cooked with vegetables, it looks exactly like egusi soup, it only tastes a little different.

WHY BENISEED?
Beniseed has a higher nutritional value and several health benefits, such as regulating blood sugar, lowering body cholesterol, making for stronger bones, lowering blood pressure, good for arthritis and improving your body’s immunity. Aside from these benefits of consuming beniseed, there are other reasons why it is a better substitute for your melon seeds with beniseed. Let me take you through them, briefly

If you have ever tried to knead ground melon seeds in a bowl, while adding a little water at a time to make melon seed cakes, then you will have seen firsthand what I am about to tell you. The milky liquid on your palms is oil and that explains why you will need a lot of soap to wash it off your fingers once you are done making the cakes. That is how much oil, there is in egusi.

Melon seeds (egusi) have a very high fat content. Consuming lots of egusi can make you overweight. This is why people add some vegetables to egusi soup to serve as a kind of buffer. But there are some ignorant people who don’t add any vegetables and they do not have the slightest idea what they are setting themselves up for. Yeah… Apart from the fact that it is expensive to watch one’s weight, the attendant health issues of being on the big side are many. For instance, it can result in infertility in women and a long list of health complications.

Also, melon seeds contain a substance known as omega 6 fatty acid which is suspected to trigger depression, favor the growth of cancerous cells, and increase inflammations in your body. There are different types of fatty acids, some are needed by the body to function properly but omega 6 fatty acid which is present in melon seeds is not healthy and could predispose you to some terminal diseases.

If you don't know where to buy beniseed, sent a private message or leave a comment.

13/11/2020

Investing in agriculture is the wisest decision you will make because food always sells!

There's no better way to put your money to work. Leaving your money in a bank is very unwise in this time of economic uncertainties.

Gabo Agro can guide you through the process and help you make the most profitable agro investments.

4 Broiler Production Tips for XmasHey! Christmas is around the corner and a lot of farmers are in the mood to raise some...
28/10/2020

4 Broiler Production Tips for Xmas

Hey! Christmas is around the corner and a lot of farmers are in the mood to raise some birds which they would sell for some profits. There has been little increase in the cost of production with broiler DOC sold at around 520 to 600 naira. Every farmer aims to make a certain level of profit from every production cycle. But with the sickening economy of the nation, how do you reach your goal?

Before embarking on any production this season (if you haven't acquired your DOC), ensure to consider these few tips to avoid running into loss.
1. Estimate your total cost of production. Price of feed ingredients will keep rising as well as that of vaccines and all other equipment needed for production. So, a rough estimate of the cost of DOC, cost of feed, vaccines, miscellaneous, e.t.c. will help you have an idea of what you will spend for production. By doing this, you will be financially prepared.

2. Raising more birds equals more money, but in this period, raise birds you can financially cater for. This will ensure you don't produce light-weight birds that won't meet market demands.

3. Due to the nation's economic status, you can decide on the expected body weight of the birds you want to produce. Ensure your target market can buy the birds at the price-point you want to sell.

4. Ensure you follow all biosecurity and production measures to ensure you pro avoid or have very low mortality. Losing a high number of birds due to poor production measures will adversely affect your profit.

Following these tips will allow for profitable production. And this is Gabro Agro's little way of wishing you success this season.

FOODS TO EAT IF YOU WANT A HEALTHY HEARTYesterday was World Heart Day and medics used the opportunity to talk about how ...
30/09/2020

FOODS TO EAT IF YOU WANT A HEALTHY HEART

Yesterday was World Heart Day and medics used the opportunity to talk about how to maintain a healthy heart. While some were asking what the best first aid for a heart attack is, in my opinion, it is better to think about the best way to prevent a heart disease in the very first instance. Because the clichéd saying “prevention is better than cure” still holds true.

There are many research findings backing the correlation between diet and the possibility of a heart disease. That goes to say that, if you do not watch what you eat, you might be putting yourself at risk of a heart disease sooner than you know it.

Nutritionists and dieticians would prescribe that you food should have more than 3 colors. The greens, the reds, the yellows. I bet these colors point to some of your favorite foods which you do not always get a chance to eat. Because you are mostly getting junks and fast foods. But you could change all that by becoming more intentional.

FOR A HEALTHY HEART, HERE'S WHAT TO EAT

We made a quick list of foods you need to consume to better your heart’s health and keep it serving you until you are old and grey!

OATS AND WHEAT
Oats and whole wheat are whole grains which are very good at reducing your cholesterol levels. Whole grains, unlike refined grains are more nutritious and having a several servings of it one week reduces blood pressure and the risk of getting a stroke.

WALNUTS
They are rich in fiber and micronutrients which protect the heart

CHOCOLATE
This chocolate has to be dark chocolate and you must ensure that it contains 70% of cocoa. It should be taken moderately and not more than twice a week

LEAFY VEGETABLES
Spinach, fluted pumpkin, contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Always including veggies in your meals will reduce your chances of having a heart disease by 16%

TOMATO
Bright red, fresh tomatoes are very nutritious. It contains a natural plant pigment known as lycopene which contains powerful antioxidant properties. This helps to clean out the cholesterol in the arteries and keep the heart in better condition. Consume tomatoes up to 4 four times a week for better results.

REMEMBER
No food is too expensive. What you refuse to pay to the farmers (market women) you end up paying double to a medic or pharmacist. A rich diet is the best health precautions to take.

HOW TO START EARNING FROM AGRICULTURE WITHOUT OWNING A FARMAre you scared of starting a farm due to your tight schedule?...
21/09/2020

HOW TO START EARNING FROM AGRICULTURE WITHOUT OWNING A FARM

Are you scared of starting a farm due to your tight schedule? Maybe you just don't want to go through the stress involved in starting and maintaining a farm, then this is for you.

Do you know that with the increasing investment options available in the agricultural sector, you could get to earn from agriculture without owning a farm? This is known as passive income generation which requires you to deploy your money through wise investment.

However, when you consider investing in agriculture to earn, ensure you invest with a verified organization. Also, you need to understand the whole procedure before you get involved. So, before you go ahead to sign that investment form, here are major things that should inform your decision:

COMPANY HISTORY /STRUCTURE
Investing in agriculture is more than just the final result. The people behind the business determine the success or failure of the business. Verify if the company has a prior track record; has met their projected returns in the past; has produced the product or another one in the past.

TYPE OF PRODUCT
There are different products in the agricultural sector. You should find out the product the company has chosen and why the company has chosen that product over others. Also, get to ask; if there is a strong demand for the product. What is the production cycle of the product and how long will it take to generate income?

PRODUCT MARKET
Agriculture production chain is not complete if the product doesn't get sold to make a profit. You need to know what plans are in place to get the products sold. Do the products get processed or sold in the raw form? Is there an end buyer waiting to buy the product? Who is the company's competitor and what market share does the company hold?

PROJECT LIFE CYCLE AND TIME FRAME FOR RETURNS
Many investment companies offer different investment duration based on the product they produce. You need to know how long your investment will take to generate returns. You also need to know if the investment is intended to provide you with a one-time or a continual return?

RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)
The reason for venturing into investment options is to generate profit. ROI, often expressed as a percentage, is the amount of return you get for your investment. You need to know the amount of return to expect for your invested amount at the end of your investment duration.

TAX
Investment companies charge a certain percentage of your ROI as tax. You need to consider the tax implications in order to form your decision, although, this is a very little fee.

Agriculture is an exciting way to diversify your investment. You get to provide food and employment options while also getting your returns. Although there are several companies that offer investment packages in agriculture, you need to make your decisions based on the above-mentioned points. You should be careful of organizations that offer juicy ROI that are not reasonable. They either commence with the payment of your ROI and fail to continue at some point, or they are fraudsters.

If you have some idle money in your bank account, agricultural investment companies are such an underrated income stream. We will let you in on some valid investment packages and guide you through the whole process.

Don't hesitate to get back to us if you have any questions on how to invest with them or other questions relating to agriculture and investment packages.

TIRED OF A DULL, ILL-TEXTURED AND SCANTY HAIR? HERE’S A LIST OF FOODS TO ADD TO YOUR DIETNearly every woman and even a g...
18/09/2020

TIRED OF A DULL, ILL-TEXTURED AND SCANTY HAIR? HERE’S A LIST OF FOODS TO ADD TO YOUR DIET

Nearly every woman and even a good number of men want to have their hair looking Peng. Because, having a nice hair-do or hair-cut can change your entire look. Since learning that having a certain hair type can accentuate a person’s physical beauty, beauticians and self-acclaimed hair product expert have been flooding the stores with hair-creams, shampoos, conditioners, and various hair treatment products.

The fact of the matter is, there is only very little these products can do for you if your eating habit is poor and you do not take the time to include certain foods in your diet. Yeah. One main hair-growth factor you can control is your diet, the others such as age, and genetics are not anything you can do much about.

WHAT TO EAT IF YOU WANT YOUR HAIR TO DO WELL
A person’s hair type can make it impossible for them to try out certain hairstyles in vogue. It can also make their natural locs loosen on its own. And frustrate the hell out of you when you want to style it.

So, if you have been ‘lusting’ after another woman’s deep dark, full and kinky hair you saw at the salon the other day, this article presents you with enough dietary information to change your hair story. Below is a list of foods to include in your diet:

SWEET POTATOES:
I think I have a thing for potatoes, maybe because I love fries. I usually have sweet potatoes, at least 3 times a week when they are in season and my hair growth, texture and color has been awesome. Sweet potatoes contain what is known as beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A. This vitamin A is very good for your hair if you want a thicker hair.

NUTS:
These includes groundnuts, and cashew nuts. I didn’t quite like them because of its potential to tamper with my breath but since discovering that they contained vitamins E, and B, which would make my hair grow healthy, I add them to my garri, take them with bread, or just enjoy a crispy handful of them with lots and lots of water.

SHRIMPS:
If you have been making your soup, particularly melon soup without adding shrimps to it, you have been missing out. Shrimps are rich in vitamins, minerals and what is know as omega-3-fatty acids which are needed to boost hair growth.

SOYBEANS:
How I love a cup of steaming soy milk on a cold evening. I had lots and lots of them while growing up and occasionally when I find some trusted vendor, I grab me a bottle. Soybean can also be made into powder and consumed just after the addition of warm water. It contains a substance which can make for longer hair follicles and conversely longer hair (Send us a message if you want some soybean powder).

Avocados:
There was a time when this could make me puke, but after a friend diced it neatly into a bowl and added two pinches of salt, and asked me to try it out, I fell in love. Avocadoes are not just buttery yummy, they contain vitamins which can help to keep your scalp healthy. Yeah, no one likes a dull, dandruffy scalp!

VEGETABLES AND MEAT:
These ones are very common. At least, many people get to eat several pieces of meat in a week. If you do, keep at it because the protein and iron content can help prevent hair loss/breakage. Veggies on the other hand, particularly the common spinach, helps the hair to synthesize sebum which moisturizes your scalp.

When next you visit the local markets, put as many of these as you can afford on your shopping list. Including these foods in your diet, will better your hair’s health and boost your confidence!

FISH FARMING: FIVE THINGS YOU ARE NOT DOING RIGHT  Just like other business owners, many fish farmers fail today due to ...
14/09/2020

FISH FARMING: FIVE THINGS YOU ARE NOT DOING RIGHT

Just like other business owners, many fish farmers fail today due to the lack of foresight. The ability to predict market changes and flow with the tide requires a high analytical skill which does not always come easily. For you to be successful as a fish farmer, you need to be able to study and understand the production hacks and market dynamics of fish farming.

If you have been in the business of fish farming for several years but still experience some failures, this article is a must read. Because I will be sharing five things you haven’t been doing right. Not taking note of one or two of the factors listed below might be the cause for your continuous failure in the business:

POOR MARKETING STRATEGY
Many fish farmers begin the search for a market only after their fish have reached market size. As such, the fish keeps feeding but stops growing which results in higher production cost. The longer the fish remain in the pond awaiting buyers, the smaller the profit margin. This results in few farmers being able to make a little profit, while many others end up with zero profit or even incur a loss.

POOR FARM AND FACILITY DESIGN
With the high cost involved in establishing a fish farm, many farmers take the unwise risk of constructing low-quality ponds. Such kind of ponds end up leaking or being too shallow and consequently require expensive maintenance or even a reconstruction. As a result, the optimum yield is not achieved and the cost of maintenance becomes too high, thereby shooting up the production cost.

POOR RECORD MANAGEMENT
Having cash in your pocket doesn't mean you made a profit after a production cycle. Taking day-to-day activities into record helps you to monitor your cash outflow and inflow. Many farmers are unable to give an account of the amount of profit or loss made after a production cycle. Proper record management helps you to assess your performance and see the need for adjustment in your management or operation activities.

POOR INVESTMENT PLAN
Many farmers, with the intent to start production on a commercial level, fail to take into account all cost of production. They end up constructing several ponds which eat into the available funds to feed the fish. Some farmers go as much as obtaining much fish which they are unable to feed to the standard market weight. This results in fish being priced very low, consequently a flop of the business.

POOR FEEDING
Many fish farmers lack adequate knowledge about the biological and physiological processes of fish. In a bid to reduce cost and save more, many give their fish low quality feeds. This results in underdeveloped fish that don't even make it to the market size, which ends up being a loss to the farmer.

Fish farming can yield as much as 30% or more profit within 6 months of production. However, to be successful at it, proper management and production practices must be adhered to.

SIMPLE WAYS TO STORE BEANSThere are many people who love to eat beans but there are also people who cannot stand it. Onc...
07/09/2020

SIMPLE WAYS TO STORE BEANS

There are many people who love to eat beans but there are also people who cannot stand it. Once, I was on the other side of the divide till I tried ewa agoyin (honey beans) and dodo (fried plantain). Although it is not a meal that I want to have so often, but once in a while I crave beans prepared with sweet palm oil (currently available for purchase at the Gabo Agro store from as little as 5litres to as much as 25litres).

One beautiful thing about beans is that it can be made into balls of akara (bean cake), moi-moi (what’s this called in English?) and even when it sits side by side with rice, it makes a beautiful ‘couple’. Having several ways in which a food can be eaten makes for variety. I guess you know what they say of variety? It is the spice of life!

WHAT CAUSES WEEVIL INFESTATION IN BEANS?

Many people have a problem with storage of beans. In fact, I stopped buying beans in bulk because I often lost much of it to weevils. Just two to three weeks and weevils are flying out of the storage bags or buckets. A frustrated person would ask, "Where the hell did they come from?"

Weevils lay their eggs in the pods of the beans just before harvest. All these eggs do not get destroyed during processing and cleaning. There’s hardly any processor who finds the time to pick out all these egg-bearing pods, so you will always have them in beans. Because they need to rush through winnowing of one bag and move to the next one because payment is based on the number of bags winnowed.

SHOULD BEAN WEEVIL BE COMPLETELY ABSENT FROM BEANS?

No. It is even a danger sign when you do not see one or two weevils in beans. You may ask, why? The reason is simple. If you do not find a weevil in your beans, it means that is has been deeply treated with chemicals and as we know these chemicals are potentially harmful to us and our environment.

But I have had weevil-free beans many times and nothing really happened? Yes dear, the effect is not felt immediately. It is felt after a long time, as an accumulated effect of it can cost you some real health issues.

HOW DO I STORE BEANS?

Neem oil: Neem oil is an organic pesticide from the famous neem tree which we call dongoyaro. The oil is extracted from the neem seeds which you’d readily find under neem trees. Although you can make your own neem oil, but if you don't have time, you can buy from nearby agro-chemical shops or from Jumia and other online stores within the country. But don't forget to dilute the oils before applying them to your beans.

Airtight jars/kegs: When you have brought home your beans from the market, you need to stuff it into a jar. You could use a funnel and a clean piece of stick if you do not want to spill it and get back to picking them later. After that, you can use a dry polythene bag to cover the jar before placing the lid to hold it tightly in place. Metamorphosis of the beanweevil is halted when the organism cannot get oxygen.

Unground dry pepper: This type of pepper is called dogo-dogo in some parts of Nigeria. It is long and bright red, and the dry ones are sold in the market. If you cannot get the dry ones in your area, buy the fresh one and sundry it. Put 4 to 6 of the pepper in the covered bowl in which you store your beans. This will do for one measure (congo/painter) of beans.

For optimum results, methods 2 and 3 are often combined.

Photo credit: unsplash/

7 TIPS TO STARTING YOUR POULTRY FARM Poultry farming is a lucrative business to do irrespective of the nation's economy....
01/09/2020

7 TIPS TO STARTING YOUR POULTRY FARM

Poultry farming is a lucrative business to do irrespective of the nation's economy. The demand for poultry products is on a daily increase which creates a room for you to tap into it as a source of income.

Aside from being a tool for income generation, the benefits of owning or investing in a poultry farm cannot be outrun. Poultry products (egg and meat) are of high nutritional value and are a major source of protein. Starting your poultry farm requires little capital and it yields a rapid return on investment. You can also run it as a full-time or part-time employment option.

HOWEVER, TO GROW FAST AND SUCCEED IN YOUR POULTRY BUSINESS, HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR YOU

1. Choose your production type:

Common production types in poultry farming are egg production and meat production. Others you can choose from include hatchery, feed production, egg and meat processing. So, before you go ahead with starting your poultry business, decide on the sector you want to get involved with and have a basic knowledge of it.

2. Choose the type of birds:

For egg and meat production, you need to know the type of bird to go for. Broiler birds are reared for meats while layer birds are reared for eggs.

3. Analyze your financial requirement:

Before starting any business, financial analysis is required. You need to analyze your financial position based on your available resources and all that would be needed during production. You must factor in the cost of acquiring (buy/lease) land and other equipment. Also, the financial projection of the cost of feeding the birds until you sell them (for broilers) or the eggs (for layers) should be included. Many people venture into poultry farming and end up at a loss because they didn't do a proper financial analysis.

4. Find your market:
Having a market to sell your birds or the eggs before you start the production will increase your profit. You incur more cost on feeding and or storage when you don't have a target market. So, before you start your poultry farm, start by telling your friends, colleagues at work about what you want to do. You can also visit business outlets where you could sell your products. This helps you to create awareness and have a wide customer base before the end of your production cycle.

5. Pick your farm location:
When selecting your farm site, avoid having it within residential areas. Also, don't establish your farm in an extreme location that is not easily accessible if there is a need for urgency. Ensure your farm location is not too far from your target market in order to reduce the cost of transportation. A very key aspect of selecting your farm location is not to establish your poultry farm very close to other poultry farms.

6. Hire/Seek a professional:
To successfully run your poultry farm, you need to seek the service of a professional who will guide you. Reading about poultry farming is not a strong foundation for starting a very profitable poultry farm. Once you get the hang of it, you’d need the service of a professional.

7. Get your equipment and order the birds:
Once you have everything set, you can go ahead to get the needed equipment and order for your birds from a reputable hatchery (if starting with day- old chicks) or farm (if starting with older birds).

With these tips, you can start your journey to a steady source of income from poultry farming.
If you have any difficulty in starting or running your poultry farm, get a free session with an animal scientist (offer valid for first 11 people).

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About US

It is an indisputable fact that food is an absolute necessity. Everyone needs good food but we found out that not everyone has access to food. According to the 2019 Hunger Index, 91 million, an estimated 65% of Nigerians do not have access to food and water. In 2020, the percentage of hungry populace has increased and much of it is blamed on the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, at least 40% to as much as 75% of the food produced in Nigeria is lost to wastage. The food lost to wastage is enough to feed millions of hungry Nigerians and create employment for 17 million Nigerians.

Gabo Agro was born out of the above concerns for Nigeria’s ever-growing percentage of hungry populace while much food, the labor of many tireless small scale farmers go to waste in the rural areas. Our mission is to contribute our quota to the global efforts geared towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 12-- “To eradicate hunger and promote responsible consumption and production patterns.

As an agricultural service organization, we not only offer agro advice, we work at connecting farmers with consumers, and vice versa. This means that Gabo Agro is an online farm gate, where consumers can buy cheap, but quality raw food. We believe that well-planned production will reduce post-harvest losses to the barest minimum. We also believe that our novel initiatives to ensure processing to elongate shelf life of produce and other preservative measures will greatly reduce wastage.