“I want to go into Farming”

I received a WhatsApp message at about 11pm Monday night while my brain was in transit between being awake and sleep, that state where ideas flood your mind and you feel you should wake up and put it on paper but you are scared that you will lose the ideas that keep flooding your mind. In that state you seem to see the future or happenings that may occur in the future or the next day.

I opened the message which read 

“Hi, good evening! My name is Chris, I got your number from a friend. I want to go into farming and he recommended you to me”

Just then I was fully awake, my brain started to work. I Remembered this same individual who recommended me has already done same two years earlier and it led to a venture known as Green Coast Foods curators of Fresh233 (www.fresh233.com). Immediately Then a thought flashed my mind as to why anyone would like to engage in farming? This then triggered the next line of thought as to why this young man “wants to go into farming” and when he calls again

1. Do you have any ideas yet? The answer was an obvious I Yes.  In Ghana every student reads Agriculture during the high school days. We are taught about the basics of agriculture and the challenges. The information about whether crops or animals are already sorted but what exactly would you like engage in? Vegetables, Poultry, Livestock, Cassava, Cocoa, Oil Palm, Rubber, Plantain? In making this decision it is important to know the marketing channels available.

It is worth noting that farming needs patience and resilience. Farming as an agriculture activity is not like any other form of investment where you invest X amount at a rate of B% and expect Y amount at the end of the investment period. Farming investment is long term and needs appropriate planning but it is important to note that activities on the field are dependent on many factor, activities leading to those outputs ARE bound to change hence the need to be ready for anything with a contingency plan in place. You will definitely reap what you sow 

     

2. Planning, Draft a plan for your farm, it is important to have a plan for every venture, the plan serves as a guide in all you do. It is also necessary to programme the plan, add detailed activities and projects to the plan with responsibilities well laid out. Also cost the plan (budget), identify the various activities and programmes then add cost them, this will give you an estimate of expenditures of your operation and also revenue streams and how to realise them.

3. Pursuit, Plan is in place, programmes and budget have been sorted. Now the real work needs to be done. It’s all action at this stage. Start the farm, Find Skilled personnel to undertake activities on your farm. Keep proper records. Constant supervision. Be creative in dealing with challenges; be in charge of activities on the farm. Delegate when necessary but always double check to find out those targets has been met.

 4. Why farming? “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy” this phrase has been mentioned over and over again. It gains extra popularity during the farmer’s day celebration in December. Farming as an agriculture activity provides food and fodder ensuring food sufficiency. Farming also contributes to national income and serves as a source of livelihood. The main occupation of most rural folks is subsistence farming. Farming also has an advantage by feeding the country’s trade; Agricultural products such as cocoa, sugar, vegetables, and fruits constitute some products of export.  If the development of agriculture is smooth, export increases and imports are reduced to an extent.

As Ghana is developing many people are engaged in mining, manufacturing, and other non-agriculture activities’, all these people depend on food production for energy. There’s also an importance in Transport as roads and railways which transport bulk agricultural produce from farm to markets and factories is developed. “Unemployed Association of Ghana”??? NO!!! Farming provides employment opportunities if activities along the Value chain are practiced properly. Farming serves as a form Government income and economic development.

So if Chris calls me later in the day I would be proud to tell him to pursue his new dream in farming and also be aware that he will not only benefit from the profits from the sale of his produce but he will also impact the lives of those he employs and their families, provide food for the Ghanaian populace and also impact the economy of Ghana.

“the best Culture is Agriculture”

Akwasi Tagoe