COMMON BLUNDERS FARMERS IN NIGERIA MAKE IN AGRIBUSINESS

[Bamiz02]

The trend is changing. Attention is gradually shifting back to Agriculture both crop and animal production. With the current rate of unemployment in Nigeria and its resultant effects, Nigeria as nation cannot continue to overlook or neglect the agricultural sector.

To some Agriculture enthusiasts, our debacle as nation started the moment attention was shifted from agricultural sector to oil. The discovery of oil in 1956 has greatly hampered the development of agricultural sector in Nigeria. Sequel to the discovery of oil, the northerners were so proud of their groundnut pyramids, the westerners enjoyed the booming wave of cocoa production and the people from the eastern part of the country were well known for their exploits in palmoil production. Evidences still abound till today of some of the accomplishments witnessed during this period of boom in agriculture.

Now that there is a renewed passion for agriculture in Nigeria, new entrants into farming business are most often times faced with some teething problems which have greatly prevented them from operating at the optimal level.This brings to the fore the common blunders farmers make in agribusiness.

1. ABSENCE OF A CLEARLY DEFINED GOAL
According to Robert A. Heinlein, "In the absence of a clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it". Many farmers are guilty of this. Majority of them are less bordered as to how the end would look like. They are less concerned about what they want to achieve at the end of the production cycle. Precision is key. Am I into farming to meet my own personal demand? Am I doing this in response to a gap that needs to be bridged?( commercial production)

2. THE PROBLEM OF " FOR WHOM TO PRODUCE FOR"
Cultivating a crop without doing some background investigation whether there is a ready market for it or not could plunge one into deep financial mess in agriculture. Most farmers lack the market strategies or plans on how to sell the proceeds from their farm after harvest. The place of a sound market research and strategy can not be overemphasized. So when next you want to embark on the cultivation of a particular crop, ask yourself if there is a ready market for such crop.

3. INADEQUATE DATA/INFORMATION
If you are not informed, you will be deformed. Information is power. It is paramount that you are well equipped with tons of information on any particular line of production you would like to embark upon. Source for relevant information from people that have been in that line before you and tap from their wealth of experience. Having all relevant information at your disposal will brace you up for the future challenges and it will also help you to make informed decision most especially the aspect of budgetary allocation.

4. POOR RECORD KEEPING
Record management is essential. It helps keep your farm running, efficient and productive. The truth is ; so many farmers keep little or no record of activities on their farm. Farm records are like the progress report cards students get at school. If farmers have farm records, they can tell how well they are managing their farm in comparison to other farmers. Proper farm record keeping can also help to expose the strengths and weaknesses in our farm operation.

5. POORLY SOURCED FARM INPUTS
Farm inputs gotten from unreliable sources could negatively affect yield when the harvest time comes. Many farmers have formed the habit of cutting corners. The concept of GIGO says, "Nonsense input produces nonsense output"

6. MAKING LESS PROVISION FOR RISK
Risk is inevitable in any enterprise or field of endeavor; and agriculture is never an exception. Risk could be problems infestation by pests,disease outbreak or even bad weather condition. The absence of tangible risk management plan can spell doom for the farmer hence, diversification is very key in mitigating the effect of such risk on the production cycle. Never put all your eggs in one basket!

7. UNRESOLVED PROBLEM(S) FROM PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENT
According to Yoko Ogawa, "Solving a problem for which you know there's an answer is like climbing a mountain with a guide along a trail someone else has laid...And it's not always at the top of the mountain, it might be in a crack on the smoothest cliff or somewhere deep in the valley." Problems not adequately tackled now will definitely become chain of mountains in the nearest future. As farmers, we should never allow a problem stay unresolved.

C.S. Lewis once said:"A sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on."

[demola]

Thanks for sharing. I hope intending farmers will avoid these mistakes and be better equipped to manage their farm investments.