Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness- Thomas Jefferson
Hello steemians, greetings to you all. Welcome to the third edition of this series - Agric Digest.
This is a sequel to the last post in this series. The last post highlighted reasons to invest into Agriculture at this moment encouraging steemians and investors to invest in the agriculture sector.
Today post is; therefore, aim at teaching steemians what they need to establish a small farm or a backyard farm as the case may be. The Agriculture world needs you.
I want us to understand that managing a large farmyard needs knowledge and expertise, so I encourage us to start from little. I believe this is one of the problems facing agriculture; start-large syndrome. As an Animal scientist and farmer have seen people launching into farming without the adequate knowledge eventually leading to close-down of such farms. Youth bear the brunt of this significant illiteracy syndrome due to their quick-wealth mentality.
Many resorts to investing in agriculture after failing in other sectors and they did not find it relevant to acquire knowledge before investing. These have led to stagnant growth in the industry as there is no balance between inflow and outflow of investors due to illiteracy. As much as I advocate for investors into the farming business, I also encourage acquiring knowledge.
Thus, I decided to share a post on how to start a small-scale farm or backyard farm
These are the things you need to start a backyard farm or a small farm.
N: B: It should be noted they are not in orderly form because they are interwoven
Knowledge and passion: Before and after selecting the plant or animal you will be rearing; gather knowledge about the plants and animals. Visit the farms of farmers who have been in the business before you. Ask questions and visit some markets and get facts about your products (plants and animals) such as new technology and new method of cultivation. Learn about agriculture and farming generally. Attend seminars, farm schools and tutorials.
Most importantly develop a passion before establishing the farm as it will keep you going through the tough times. Farming takes time and a lot of work; you will need personal motivation to overcome the challenges. Learn to enjoy farming and make it a hobby.
Farming is a total lifestyle. Not something that you can clock in and out with- Adam Klaus
Selection of plant/animal: These depend on other factors as listed here.
Land: Since it is a backyard farm, you should take into consideration the size of your residential house and the size of the section you want to allocate for farming.
Land Is essential as it will influence other decisions.
For instance; for poultry, the size of the part you assigned will determine the number of birds to be stocked, while for the garden, the number of plants and stands to be cultivated depends on the size of the section assigned.
For the small scale farm, the price of purchasing land in the area should be considered. You should know that lands are cheaper in the rural areas compared to the urban areas. However the farm must be sited close to your market target, social amenities (water; if need be) and raw materials. Allocation of parts for farming should also be put into consideration as other structures necessary for smooth management of the farm will be constructed.
You might also want to lease a farm land depending on who and conditions of contract (for the small scale farmers).
When dealing with plants, the nature of the soil should also be considered as this will influence making better use of the land.
Labour: For the backyard farm, this might not be necessary. For the small scale farm, it depends on your farm size, but put into consideration your financial capacity. If need be, you can employ one or two people.
Capital: This is where most investors have issues, but since the aim is to start small, you are ready to go. Money should not stop you from farming.
Start backyard farm with backyard money.
Start small farm with the small money.
So make every of your decisions on the factors listed here based on your financial capacity. Cut your coat according to your size. Also avoid debt because it has been proven to be one of the reasons some farms shut down. Stay within your financial limit. Small scale farmers can look for grant but if not possible should stay within their limit.
Market: Farmers should have a target market for there products. Identify the people who you want to sell your products and those interested in it. Products should be what people in the area are consuming. For instance you can't rear pork in northern state of Nigeria because they don't consume it. You should also know the prevail prices of your products in the market. Visit your farmers market and local market asking questions concerning marketing which will also give you the opportunity to discuss with customers. Your farm should be sited close the market area if possible to save transportation cost. Learn about your market distribution channels also put your competitors into consideration.
Cost of running the farm/Maintenance cost: Many farmers tend to spend there whole capital on purchasing the stock materials forgetting they will need money to maintain the farm. Maintenance cost could include feed, vaccinations, medicines, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides cost. Try to divide your capital into two, a part for establishing the farm and other for maintenance of the farm.
Then the last thing is for you to go all in, launch the farm
I Welcome you to farming
IF YOU NEED HELP ON ESTABLISHING FARM OR HAVE ANY ISSUES YOU CAN COMMENT. IF I CAN’T ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS WILL DIRECT IT TO PEOPLE I KNOW.
THANKS FOR READING
THE AGRICULTURE WORLD NEEDS YOU.
Other posts in this series
Agric Digest #1: State of the Untapped Mine (Agriculture)
Agric Digest 2: Agriculture Finance-The bloodline of Agriculture
7 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Agriculture (Agric Digest #3)
IMAGES FROM PIXABAY
KINDLY RE-ESTEEM SO THAT THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE A BOOM OF INFLOW OF INVESTORS.
IF YOU LIKE THIS KINDLY COMMENT ALSO
AGRICULTURE IS MY LIFE, I LOVE WHAT I DO