Online Reporter
Word From The Market
Tina Nleya
LAST WEEK, we emphasised the importance of market-led farming, encouraging farmers to grow what the market demands.
This week, we continue that conversation by zooming in on another essential element of successful farming: record-keeping and other practices that help transform agriculture from mere subsistence into a profitable enterprise. Too often, farming is approached as a tradition or way of life, rather than the serious commercial venture it truly is.
Yet, just like any formal business, farming requires discipline, data, planning and financial oversight. One of the most powerful tools that can help farmers make informed decisions and grow their operations is proper record-keeping.
Why is record-keeping important?
Informed decision making: Keeping records enables farmers to track which crops performed best, how much they spent, the inputs they used and the resulting profit. With this information, they can make smarter decisions for the next season.
Access to finance: Lenders and financial institutions often require evidence of past performance before giving loans. Accurate records act as a form of “credit history” for farmers, building trust with banks, agribusinesses and Government financing schemes.
Cost control and profit tracking: Many farmers operate without knowing whether they are making a profit or loss. With records, one can identify unnecessary costs, evaluate which ventures are profitable, and adjust strategies accordingly.
Improved market access: Buyers, especially in formal markets, want assurance that farmers can consistently meet quantity and quality standards. Production records help prove this capacity and boost credibility.
Compliance and regulation: With increasing regulatory oversight (such as Agricultural Marketing Authority’s biometric registration and contracting systems), record-keeping ensures farmers remain compliant, especially when engaging in contract farming or applying for inputs and subsidies.
What kind of records should farmers keep?
Input records: Details on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs when they were bought, in what quantities, at what cost and from whom.
Production records: Dates of planting, weeding, pest control, harvesting and total yields per crop.
Labour records: Amount of labour used (hired or family), tasks performed and payments made.
Sales and revenue records: Where produce was sold, quantities, prices received and transport costs.
Expense records: All expenditures on fuel, repairs, marketing, packaging, storage, etc.
Loan and credit records: Amounts borrowed, from where, interest rates, repayment schedules and balances.
Weather and pest incidents: Rainfall patterns, pest or disease outbreaks and how they were handled.
Even a simple notebook or spreadsheet can help track these areas. As digital tools become more accessible, platforms like AMA’s National Farmer Database Management System (NFDMS) will make it easy for farmers to keep their records.
Other business practices for serious farmers
Beyond record keeping, several habits distinguish business-minded farmers:
Budgeting and planning: Before each season, plan what you will plant, how much it will cost and what you expect to earn.
Diversification: Avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Smart farmers grow a mix of crops or add livestock to spread risk.
Risk management: Consider insuring your crops or livestock, especially in drought-prone or flood-prone areas.
Value addition: Don’t just sell raw produce. If possible, explore basic processing, packaging or branding to increase income.
Continuous learning: Attend workshops, field days and training programmes. The best farmers are always learning from others and adapting to change.
Adopt technology: Use mobile apps to track rainfall, market prices or record expenses. Even simple items like calculators and weighing scales improve business accuracy.
AMA’s role in supporting business-minded farming
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) continues to champion farming as a viable commercial path, not a survival mechanism. Through biometric registration and NFDMS, AMA ensures traceability, accountability and planning.
It also facilitates market linkage programmes, connecting farmers to structured buyers.
Regulatory oversight ensures fair play in the market and protects farmers from exploitation.
Farming is no longer just about digging and praying for rain. It is a dynamic business that requires sound management, data and strategic thinking. The most successful farmers in Zimbabwe and across the world are those who treat their farms like businesses, starting with proper record-keeping.
If you are a farmer reading this, start now. Track what you plant, what you spend and what you earn. The numbers tell a story, and that story will guide your growth.
Tina Nleya is AMA’s marketing and public relations manager. She can be contacted on email: [email protected]. Word From The Market is a column produced by AMA to promote market-driven production.
Online Reporter