Michael J Ssali
It is expected that anybody who sets up an investment such as farming takes keen interest in it. He might be employed and busy elsewhere but sufficient attention ought to be allocated to the enterprise for it to succeed. If it is impossible for the investor to be physically present on the farm all the time, he should appoint a really trusted and devoted manager.
He obtained the money that was used to set up the investment and he must ensure the venture brings in returns. He should be in position to coordinate and to plan the work to be carried out on the farm.
There must be a clear way of record keeping to ensure that he knows how money is used. If he chooses to employ a manager he should be the type of person who has some skills in agriculture and accounts. If agrochemicals are misused on the farm or if the wrong decisions are made in the farm activities, it can cause catastrophic consequences.
It should be the entrepreneur to think of new ideas, especially with regard to finding cheaper ways of overcoming problems that arise time and again. As much as possible the farmer should be present on the farm, for his animals and crops to know him and for him to know them. It is not bad for a herdsman to smell like his animals. There is an old English wise saying which goes: “The best manure on the farm is the sole of the farmer’s boot.” Farm inspection is very important and wise farmers always make the time to visit every nook and cranny of the farm.
You get to know about an anthill that is developing somewhere and whether it serves any purpose in that place or whether it is even dangerous to the farmed crops. You get to know which plants are wilting. You know about an animal that is not feeding properly.
You can then make a quick decision, whether to make a quick phone call to the vet doctor or the area agriculture officer.
As the owner of the business you are the one to face all the risks of the farm including failure, loss, and whatever other risks. It is good to trust your employees but remember that some of them could be thieves and liabilities.
