Why new farmers need a careful plan before starting a farming operation

Before starting any farming venture, new farmers must plan how they will reach their goals and how they will manage all aspects of their farming operation, according to Cois Harman, winner of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) mentor of the year award.

Before starting any farming venture, new farmers must plan how they will reach their goals and how they will manage all aspects of their farming operation, according to Cois Harman, winner of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) mentor of the year award.

Speaking at a farmers’ day held at the ARC in Pretoria, Harman said it was vital for new farmers to undergo adequate training in the field of farming they wish to enter.

“Get the skills to do everything yourself, if you can’t do something, then get someone to teach you how to do it,” Harman said.

Financial and management skills were very important, and many farmers seemed to be unaware that they would be required to attend to the farming business’s finances in the same way necessary for any other business.

“Make sure you attend a course and get training on how to run your finances. Many farmers leave farming because they lack financial and management skills,” Harman said.

“It is easier for a businessman, who has succeeded in managing a business, to make a success of farming, than for someone who had simply worked on a farm,” he added.

Every aspect of a farming operation had to be revised during the course of every year and the profitability of each determined. One section of a diversified farming operation must also not be used to finance another, he said. “All aspects of an operation must provide a positive income.”

Click HERE for the full article.

Sourced: farmersweekly.co.za