The millionaire farmers in Kenya are by no means
rocket scientists; they simply know and do some things that the average farmer doesn't or considers to be irrelevant. There are many articles in which I have some of these things individually. Allow me to quickly
highlight all of them here. I just hope I will be able to draw your keen attention to
these do or die things in agribusiness.
I deliberately start with something few people
getting into agribusiness ever do: drawing
up a business plan. Sit down and draw a business plan! Should I say that
again? After you have identified your focus entity (which crop or animal you
intend to keep or cultivate) you must sit down and draft the costs, budget,
projected income and approximate timings.
You will also need a farm layout so you know what goes (or will go) where in long and/or
short term. This is can be influenced by a soil test of your land. It's like
going to the bank to obtain your bank statement. If you are going to grow
anything, you want to know the soil content; its nutrients and pH. Then you
will know what crops the soil will support in its current state or what you
need to add to suit your interested crop. The old fashion way of using
cow/chicken manure blindly is not smart. Richfarm Kenya will help
you a great deal with immediate and continuous consultations. They may run or
help you do the soil testing.
Patience, passion and consistency are virtues well known and practiced by millionaire farmers not only in Kenya but the world over. Cultivate them in you before you
cultivate anything in your farm. Don't plant or raise livestock just because
someone said that it's profitable or you saw them make money from such ventures.
From experience, success comes from within those who are patient enough to
follow a given path with undying consistency. Consider the other factors as
well such as your own capabilities. Profits may be illusionary and are
subjective.
Third, consider these factors in production: Capital, Land, Labour and Entrepreneurship.
Labour and Entrepreneurship: I don't know your
profession so I will be general. Are you going to hire labour or do you have
time to do it yourself? This will determine the success of your chosen
enterprise. You may have a trustworthy worker who knows more about farming; but
you still need to supervise and manage your business. You could also
visit farms practicing the same and learn from them.
Capital: this is not just the cash in the
bank but also the farm structures, equipment, tools and materials to use in
your operation as well as access to water, electricity and other infrastructure
necessary for your farm operations. Surprisingly, most farmers do not account
for the cost of these things, then they make profits and keep wonderings “but
where did my money go?!?”
Land: Here you have a great advantage
since in Kenya land is not scarce as such. If you do not have your own and cannot
buy, never be discouraged; lease it. There are so many people who are willing
to lease land but you may have to involve a friend who is a local in your place
of interest. Never seek to start big; 1 acre is okay and you could also use the profits
from it as capital to expand the business with time. This one is enough to get
you a footing and then expand with time.
Lastly, whatever you do, seek to learn as much as you can about it. The
internet is a good source of information but be conscious while using it since
some information may have been posted a long time ago and could be outdated.
Follow blogs that are constantly updated, sign up for tutorial programs, attend
farming exhibitions and be in constant touch with practicing farmers.
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