How to Start Farming

This is the most popular question I get asked. As well as the most difficult.

That first step is harder than all the 999 others combined. And even now I do struggle with starting a new farm . However, I have learnt some tips that have made starting a bit easier.

Here, I’ll share some tips that have helped:

1.??? Write it Down

The biggest enemy to starting is the anxiety that comes from having so many things that you need to do.

Writing down what is needed to be done brings orders to the chaos and calms the brain.

Then it becomes a matter of dentifying the easiest task to start and get the ball rolling.

3.??? Identify land or the hydroponic set up of choice.

If you are leasing, it is helpful to find your space in places that other people already farm.

This gives you easy access to expertise and skilled labour.

4.??? Decide which crop to plant

This can be inspired by many things.

However, whichever crop you are working with, have an idea of what kind of market you are targeting.

Talk to your local kiosks, local brokers and even open markets. You might learn one or two things you did not know about your crop.

5.??? Talk to an expert producer

To get an idea of the production journey.

How do I ensure profitability even during low seasons?

For instance, how many fertilizer application are needed?

What are the most common pests and diseases?

Experts can be found on the ground (if you find land in a place where other people are already farming) or online.

6.??? It helps to buy some of the inputs before a season has started.

That first visit to the agro-vet is you putting your boots on the ground.

It makes the whole thing real.

7.??? This is a hack:

Have someone start the farm for you.

For example, if you are interested in a hydroponic self-watering garden, Citified Farms sell amazing hydroponic gardens.

Onion Doctor has packages for various acreage of onion production.

Farmer on Fire sells ready mushroom farms.

If It is tomatoes you want to start, either hydroponic or not, email me at [email protected].

Onion Doctor has packages for various acreage of onion production.

Farmer on Fire sells ready mushroom farms.

If It is tomatoes you want to start, either hydroponic or not, email me at [email protected]

The advantage of hiring someone who has walked this journey is that you benefit from their experience and avoid the hustle of starting alone,

8, Try not to get lost in the pre-planning phase.

You never feel 100 percent ready. You will never be a 100 percent ready. Start even if you feel you are 10 percent ready.

Make a call to the Tractor guy and set a date for ploughing, Call your seedling propagator of choice and place an order. That chanes your day of starting form sometime in future to next Thursdya (when the tractor guy ploughs) or next 21 days (when your seedlings are ready)