Master the 17 Essential Laws of Farming for Success and Sustainability
- Never target peak seasons, peak seasons come with their own challenges. Be a farmer, not a gambler.
- Choose at least two main crops and a rotational crop plan. Jumping from one crop to another is not right in your pocket.
- Plan your farm and always have the crops at different age stages, to ensure constant supply.
- No crop that is not profitable, just master the pros and cons of a particular crop.
- Having a lot of money is not a licence for successful farming.
- Have a spray and fertilizer plan and stick to it.
- Never take advice from agro vets and agrochemical sales agents. Most of them are salespersons and not agronomists.
- Try as much as possible to cut down on farm expenditure without compromising on produce quality.
- Never hold back on a product, if it’s a quick perishable product. Sell it at the prevailing prices.
- Never plant a new seed on a large scale before doing trials unless you have seen it somewhere.
- Never entrust your million-dollar idea against a farmhand, ensure you are present during critical stages of crop development until marketing.
- Never employ a close family member to manage your farm, most of them will fail you.
- If you are neighbouring farmers plant the same crop.
- Never apply any farming information you get online, without consulting your agronomist.
- Always have a farm plan.
- Old is always good. Most of the old seed varieties and chemicals will never disappoint you.
- Passion in farming is key and will take you far.