Farming is like any other business.
I am a full-time farmer with other side hustles but I spend most of my work hours on the farm.
Honestly, farming done well with all structures has good money.
Farmers experience losses because it has too many variables with very few people along the value chain. Many of us got into farming as a way to make extra cash but were disappointed. This is because farming is a time-based investment. 3 to 6 months and you have to harvest and sell.
Some farmers like myself got very low but opted to learn the rules of the game and got our fair share of success but unfortunately, some gave up never to return again. Actually, some even sold their farms.
I am writing a series books on my lessons and those of other farmers. I will share more details on the same later.
- Make sure you can spare time to understand your business well.
- Don’t get training on being the best tomato farmer…. Get training on how to maximize the resources you have.
- Make sure you understand the basics. From soil testing to weather patterns to market dynamics to labour management.
- Make sure you get training for yourself as well as your farm workers REGULARLY.
- Vet your farmworkers.
- Vet your agronomist… Are they tried and tested? Do they have practical experience? Ask them for references ie. farmers they have dealt with.
- Vet your partners — Seed companies, fertilizer, etc
- If you have a passion for farming that is a plus but you have to have the patience to grow with it. Then make sure you follow your purpose, not passion only.
- Self-evaluation is critical. Not everyone can run a business and farming is a business. Make sure you get the right motivation to continue. Probably support someone who can do it passionately.
- Get the right information from reliable and unbiased sources.
- Make sure you join our farming community www.afarmerz.com and www.facebook.com/AFarmerz
It is not easy but there is no business that is easy. Get this from me.
From experience running a business is not easy I have had more than ten different businesses from a cyber cafe, was bottling water, selling ceramic tiles, I run an advertising agency, selling electronics, had wines and spirits and lounge, and many other businesses.
My appeal is Never to give up on farming. Celebrate the small wins and make sure you have a proper plan.
If you feel or think that something is not going right, contact me and my team at any time. Make sure to visit our offices or plan for us to visit your farm.
