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Farmer’s Diary
Sheuneni Kurasha
Welcome, dear reader, to our column, where we explore all things farming.
In our inaugural instalment last week, we argued for policy measures to incentivise and support young people to go into farming.
The burgeoning youthful population, especially against waning employment opportunities elsewhere in the economy, as well as the reality of an aging population among farmers were cited as some of the reasons for this proposition.
I was inundated with responses from all over the country and beyond, most of which appreciated the case for young people to venture into farming.
There was consensus that Government should support willing young farmers with seed capital and land. Most readers opined that this could be made possible by making farms allocated under the land reform programme productive.
It is clear from the feedback that many young people are ready to swap the office for the farm.
This column will continue to share information on various issues concerning agriculture with the aim of finding common ground and solutions for the benefit of farmers and the country.
In the coming weeks, we will focus on what to consider when one wants to go into farming and become successful. This week we focus on two main factors — passion and knowledge.
Passion
One of the principal factors for success in farming is passion; that is, the desire and drive to undertake farming successfully.
Those who have interacted with me know about my undying love for animals and plants.
I breath, smell and eat farming.
Farming is the blood that runs in my veins. Farming gives me fulfilment and purpose.
I cannot imagine being anything else but a farmer. One can never be a successful farmer unless they have genuine love for plants and animals.
When I interact with aspiring young farmers, one of the first questions they ask is whether they can get into farming when they have never grown a single crop or raised any livestock.
Most of them doubt their ability to make the grade. But there are countless examples that prove that anyone, including those who lack experience, can become successful farmers, only if they set their mind on it. After all, there are many models that would allow one to start small, learn and grow.
One old-timer once told me: “Farming is a decision, no-one wakes up as a successful farmer and starts asking people, how did I get here?”
Put simply, success in farming is a decision.
Farming involves a lot of hard work and it often means relocating from the comfort of urban conveniences to spend time in remote places.
It is also not the kind of business where one gets rich quickly.
One needs to be passionate about farming to last the journey because farming is a marathon.
The selfies of glowing crops and bubbly animals we all love to see on social media are not the entire story. Farming, just like any business, has risks.
Unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by climate change, soaring input costs and farming equipment, including economic challenges, all make farming a challenging endeavour.
But passion can see farmers through it all.
Essentially, farmers often have to deal with complex and multiple challenges such as the recent outbreak of tick-borne diseases like theileriosis (the so-called January disease), heart water, and red water, which have wiped out livestock areas such as Mhondoro and parts of Buhera.
These challenges can result is substantive losses for farmers. It is, therefore, not a coincidence that all successful farmers are passionate about farming.
Passion is a farmer’s second name.
Knowledge
Equally, a farmer also needs to be knowledgeable to succeed. In fact, there is correlation between passion and knowledge in any enterprise.
Strive Masiyiwa once said “entrepreneurship without skills limits your growth potential”.
The beauty about knowledge and skills is that no-one was born with them; they are acquired.
You need to invest time and money to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills in any business for you to make a mark. When my wife and I decided to go into farming about seven years back, although we were well established in our professions that are not necessarily directly linked to farming, we had to enrol for short courses in various aspects of agriculture.
We also had to invest in attending agricultural events and network with other farmers who have been in the game longer. We opted to enrol for short courses because they were tailor-made. They covered important areas such as farm management; business, economics and financial management; livestock production; animal health; farm infrastructure; forage production and range-land management. This was the most important step we ever took and it became a game-changer.
Another effective way is to interact with experienced farmers, especially those in the farming activity you intend to pursue. This provides hands-on information based on rich experience. This is why established farmers still take time to participate in exhibitions, field days and other activities organised by farmers’ associations.
Sharing experiences is good for farmers.
Personally, I have benefited a lot from my interaction with officials from various Government departments, who are always willing to assist farmers.
Attending exhibitions and auctions is quite helpful. Technology has also enabled farmers to share valuable information through the internet, which can be helpful for budding farmers.
Resources such as YouTube videos, podcasts, books and magazines on farming can also be handy for someone new to farming.
In farming, knowledge is power.
Farmers are people of action. They are risk-takers. They take a dive and launch into deep waters, disregarding the discouragement and risks that confront them daily. They take counsel from the Holy Book in Ecclesiastes Chapter 11, verse 4, which says “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”
Let’s continue to draw inspiration from the wisdom of our forefathers who said “Paswera badza hapanyepi” (results of a noble effort always speak for themselves). Let’s enjoy farming.
Sheuneni Kurasha is a passionate farmer who specialises in boran cattle, boer goats, damara sheep and dairy farming. For feedback, kindly get in touch on email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +263 772 874 523.
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