While the rainy season comes with some challenges, it also has some advantages to people, especially the discerning investors in Nigeria.
Unlike other climes where there are restrictions for you to do certain businesses, you are free in this country to try your hands on some businesses that thrive during the rainy season. Some of the businesses as mentioned by experts are:
SNAIL FARMING
Snail rearing is one of the unassuming lucrative arm of agriculture in Nigeria and the most neglected animal rearing business in the country.
Chief Executive Officer, Eddy Flo Farms, Otta, Ogun State, Mr. Akintunde Akinmolayan, explains that the good thing about this venture is that, you can make hundreds of thousands of naira in months, depending on the scale of the business.
He says, “Within a year, your stock is expected to have increased by over 300 per cent. The business is less stressful as the snails do not require special drugs and food but plantain leaves, pawpaw and water leaf among others.
Within a year, your stock is expected to have increased by over 300 per cent. the snails do not require special drugs and food
“You need to consider the environment to use for rearing as it should be protected from wind as snails are easily dehydrated. A low plain, downhill area or site surrounded with enough trees is perfect for snail farming. You may plant plantains and bananas around your snail farm to prevent the impact of wind.”
It is advisable to get snails directly from the forest instead of buying from the market because most of the ones that is sold in the markets have been exposed to sunlight and have dehydrated and this can reduce their fertility capacity.
For you to get snails easily from the bush, you can clear a little portion of land during the rainy season and sprinkle spicy fruits like pineapple, pawpaw, plantain, banana etc., on the ground. You leave the spot for two to three hours; then you go back there and rest assured that you will pick up snails suitable for rearing. You may repeat this procedure until you get enough pieces.
SELL KETTLE/ DISPENSERS
After defying the weather and getting to their various destinations, people fight off the cold through various means. One of such is by taking coffee and other hot chocolate beverages. Sometimes, offices do not have functioning water dispensers.
A financial manager, Ms. Tayo Oluwole, says that a proactive businessman willing to invest will make it his point of duty to approach organisations ahead with a proposal of supplying them with dispensers.
She says, “There are small and medium enterprises with budgets that cannot afford dispensers, because it’s raining and the weather is cold. These ones should be given the option of getting electric kettles and other forms of water electric water heaters. Again, the level of profit to be recorded is contingent on the number of organisations you are able to convince to patronise you.
“The season may prevent people from getting things done according to schedule. When you supply the above, you are not just making money, and you are playing the role of facilitating their businesses. So even if you have to get wet to get to them, they will surely appreciate the service and sales that you are rendering.”
POLYESTER CLOTHING
A trader, Mrs. Bola Afolayan, says she has witnessed an increase in the demand for polyester cloths and all forms of cardigans in her shop in the last one month.
According to her, prior to the rainy season, cardigans stayed long on the shelf, but since the coming of the rains, they have become one of the fastest selling items. Naturally, this is to her advantage, as it has also increased his profit.
She says, “Every season has its own peculiarity. For the rainy season, it’s any cloth that can keep people warm that they demand and I must say these do not come cheap. I make between N500 and N2,000 profit, depending on the bargaining power of the buyer.”
VEGETABLE/ FRUIT
Vegetable and fruit are also in high demand during the season. Mallam Ahmed, who sells garden eggs and other vegetables and fruits around Magboro, Ogun State, explains that traders are not restricted to selling a particular product but seasons and festivals mostly determine the type of products they sell.
He says, “I had to change from cart-pushing to vegetables and fruits selling, because they are the items in demand right now. But after the rainy season, I will return to the waste disposal business. Changing my line of business does not mean I have recorded any loss. In fact, I have made more money than I would have made collecting waste.”
