Getting the most out of your farm

Michael J. Ssali

What you need to know:

  • Pick the booklets and brochures supplied or sold at the stalls and ensure you find time to read them.
    Endeavour to get the addresses of the various exhibitors.

In order to get the most out your farm with regard to yields and quality there are some considerations that you should take into account.
One of them is being open to learning new things all the time because farming is dynamic. New challenges keep emerging and you have to learn to cope with them.

Befriend a farming expert such as the area agricultural services extension worker.
This is someone you will call upon for advice anytime you notice unusual pests, parasites and disease on your farm. Ensure that at least three people on your farm know the phone number of the extension worker.

Some extension workers are in private practice and you should pay their fees promptly.
Remember that you might need their services even on public holidays.

Seek their opinion about the fertility of the soil on your farm and all other husbandry practices.
Farming is science (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, accounts, and geography) and there are always new innovations for the farmer to learn.

You have to plant high yielding and disease resistant crop varieties and this is an issue about which you will need expert guidance. Your livestock requires vaccination, de-worming, and other forms of medical care.
You will also need proper guidance with regard to the use of organic and inorganic manures.

You should seek advice on the usage and handling of agricultural chemicals. You must constantly fight weeds and soil erosion.
Join a farmers’ group. This has several advantages including comparing notes with fellow farmers about the different challenges you face, pooling savings, group marketing, bulk purchase of inputs, and easier access to credit among others.

Find time to visit fellow farmers and to see “how they do their thing.” Attend farmers’ seminars to get new information.
Visit agricultural exhibitions and pay maximum attention to the explanations made at the different stalls.

Pick the booklets and brochures supplied or sold at the stalls and ensure you find time to read them.
Endeavour to get the addresses of the various exhibitors.
Take interest in farming magazines like ‘Seeds of Gold’ and other publications.