While the internet is awash with articles on how farming is profitable, few give a true picture of the challenges farmers face in producing food. When done right, farming is profitable. However, the factors that determine whether a farming enterprise is profitable or not, may not be within the control of the farmer. It is these outside forces that can pose the biggest challenge to a farming business.
1. Unpredictable
weather
Weather is an important factor in farming. More so in Africa, where
rainfed agriculture is practiced the most. The weather can have a direct impact
on crops and livestock yields, the quality of produce, and the ability to
market products to customers. In addition, if bad weather occurs at harvest
time then many farms face financial ruin as they struggle to save crops from
rot or pest damage. However, predicting the weather has become increasingly
difficult in recent years.
Many farmers have found that they can no longer rely on traditional
weather forecasting or climate records when planning their farming activities.
Climate change is expected to cause more extremes of weather events,
such as drought or heavy rainfall. This means that while some growing seasons
may be good for farmers, other seasons may produce poor results.
2. High cost of
feed and other inputs
Inputs are the materials needed to produce farm products. These
include seeds, fertilizers, livestock feed, veterinary services, and
agrochemicals. Climate change is already impacting many farmers by increasing
input costs. Basic food products such as grains and seeds are becoming more
expensive every year.
Purchasing high-quality inputs can be very expensive for farming
businesses in some countries. High-quality inputs are often required to ensure
that yields are maximized during planting or animal rearing.
However, these inputs are not always available to farmers or out of
reach due to high prices. When high-quality inputs are unavailable, the yields
achieved during planting or animal rearing may be lower than anticipated. This
can have a significant impact on the overall profitability of farming
enterprises.
3. Pests and
diseases
Pests and diseases are an inevitable part of life for livestock
farmers and crop farmers. Pests and diseases lower production as well as reduce
the marketability of farm produce. Farmers rely on their knowledge of how to
control these threats, through prevention or treatment with chemicals, to keep
their livestock and plants healthy.
However, the evolution of pest and disease resistance to pesticides
and drugs has encouraged many farmers to seek alternative methods of combating
threats to their livestock and crops. The cost of buying new chemicals to keep
up with pests and disease resistance is growing, as are the costs of developing
genetically modified seeds that have been bred to resist pests and diseases.
4. Getting
reliable staff
Farming is a labour-intensive business. Farmers must have enough
staff to plant, maintain and harvest crops when needed. They also need permanent
staff to oversee the day-to-day operations on livestock farms.
However, there are a growing number of farmers that have been unable
to find skilled labour. This means they have had to do without the extra hands
needed for planting and harvesting certain crops or shepherding livestock away
from danger. In this instance, low harvest can lead to a loss of revenue and
increased financial stress.
Staff roles in farming businesses are often interchangeable so
farmers may need to adapt their farming strategy when staff leaves or when
there are unexpected changes in the availability of skilled workers in the
community. Due to these uncertainties in hiring labour, many farmers rely on
their own family members to help them with farm activities.
5. Low-quality
seeds and animal breeds
Seeds and animals are two types of inputs that are the foundation of
every farming business. Seeds need to be carefully selected based on soil
conditions, climate, and planting time.
Seeds that produce low yields could ultimately lead to crop failure.
It is therefore important for every farmer to select seeds with high yield
potential in order to maximize production. This can cost significant amounts of
money, but it enables farmers to get the most out of their land while also
ensuring sustainable farming practices.
Livestock breeds must also be carefully selected in order to produce
high-quality meat, eggs, and milk for consumption by both people and animals on
farms. Prolonged breeding with unsuitable mates can lead to poor health on livestock
farms, preventing farmers from maximizing the potential of their livestock.
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