Bell Apple Farming In Nigeria
By Akniyemi Oluwagbenga
Climate
The Bell apple tree is strictly tropical. The tree need a humid climate, with an annual rainfall of 60 inches (152 cm) or more.
Soil
The tree grows vigorously on a range of soil types from sand to heavy clay. It tolerates moderately acid soil, reacts unfavourably to highly alkaline situations.
Propagation
Bell apple seeds are big and brown in colour. The seeds germinate readily. Many sprout on the ground under the tree. While seed propagation is common, superior types are multiplied by budding on to their own seedlings.
Culture
Bell apple trees can be spaced 5-7m apart in the fields prepared and enriched as for any other crop, and they require little care except for elimination of weeds and periodic application of manures ( organic or inorganic) and plentiful irrigation in very dry weather.
Food Uses
The ripe apples are eaten raw, that is, it is edible. The slightly unripe ones are used for making jelly and pickles. You can create sweet jams and preserves from it. Preserves will take hours to make based on the apples high water content, but it can be done with ample patience.
You can chop raw apples for use in salads. Red and white wines are made from Bell apples, and other valuable products such as juice, cider, apple dried snack, chutney, concentrate etc
Bell Apple seedlings production – Money spinner
– Make money in ten weeks (10 weeks) raising bell apple seeds into seedlings for sale.
– The seedlings production is designed to train and empower people.
– The production can be done conveniently at home.
– No need of buying NPK fertilizer. Promotion of organic farming. Ypu can make use of manure from horse, cattle, goat which are free.
– Limited bell apple seeds for this purpose. Maximum of 50 seeds per person.
– N100.00 per seed, #200.00 per germinated seed.
– N,500.00 for practical trainning.
– N350.00 per seedling at 10 weeks old.
– About 75% returns on investment ( 75% ROI)
– Ready made market for the seedlings across Nigeria.
Medicinal Uses
Malayans apply a powder of the dried leaves on a cracked tongue. A preparation of the root is a remedy for itching. The root bark is useful against dysentery.
Cambodians take a decoction of the fruit, leaves or seeds as a febrifuge.
The juice of the crushed leaves is applied as a skin lotion and is added to baths.
In Brazil, various parts of the plants are used as remedies for constipation, diabetes, coughs, pulmonary catarrh,headache and other ailments.
Seeded fruits, seeds, bark and leaves have shown antibiotic activity and have some effect on blood pressure and respiration.
For more information online, search for, “Bell Apple in Nigeria”.
For the video online, search for, ” bell apples/ galaxy today “.
Thank you. Nigeria has a great future.
Akinyemi Oluwagbenga, Agronomist.
Pioneer, Bell Apple Farming in Nigeria ( since 2008)
+234(0) 8123979645.
