Adopt eco friendly farming practices – Dr Bulaya

CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE

Dr Oliver Kandela Bulaya

Adopt eco friendly farming practices

Environmental and biodiversity protection is key to sustainable development. Stop deforestation and forest degradation

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PLANNING TO WIN AS A FARMER

THE primary aim of farming should extend beyond mere subsistence or consumption; it should operate on a commercial basis with profit as a focal point. Agriculture stands as the largest employer in the informal sector, making effective financial management not just a choice, but a necessity. This is a critical step in fostering the growth of individual farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole.

Financial management is an essential skill for smallholder farmers, directly influencing their ability to sustain and expand their agricultural operations. We must invest time and resources to help farmers recognize the potential within farming that they may not yet see. Treating farming as a business involves strategic planning, a crucial element that many farmers overlook, leading to a perception of dependency rather than empowerment.

Many challenges and failures encountered by smallholder farmers stem from inadequate planning. As the saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Planning entails detailing your intentions and setting clear objectives. Just as an architect visualizes a building before construction, farmers must visualise their goals to cultivate success.
Planning is the mental formulation of your goals, writing them down and the actionable steps needed to achieve them. If God has a divine plan for each of us, then we, too, should have our own plans. A clear vision enables progress; it’s what drives us toward our aspirations. Key Elements to Consider in Your Planning:

1. Farming type: Identify what crops or livestock you want to focus on.
2. Farming technology: Explore available technologies that can enhance productivity.

• Markets: Understand the demand and pricing for your products.

1. Growth strategy: Develop a plan for scaling your operations.
2. Risks & threats: Assess potential challenges and plan for contingencies.
3. Avoid haphazard actions that yield minimal results. Focus your efforts through structured planning

• Recognize that farming is a business requiring strategic activity forecasts and growth projections.

The essence of personal planning is crucial for grasping the significance of planning your farming business. Consider what you will grow and the specific farm business you want to undertake. Analyse the environment to identify profitable opportunities, and account for costs and risks associated with your endeavors. Many smallholder farmers mistakenly believe that planning is only for university graduates.

You can plan as Individual by Setting  personal goals and objectives. You can plan as a family by involving family members to promote a shared vision or you can plan as an entity were you treat your farm as a business entity with organized strategies. Planning is an exhaustive exercise that requires critical thinking. Our brains are designed to process ideas, and neglecting this ability can result in missed opportunities. Shift your focus from challenges to successes. Moving from smallholder to emergent or large-scale farming is intentional, not accidental.

You can plan on long-term or short term basis. However,t he Necessity of a Long-Term Vision
Planning for multiple seasons, even a five-year outlook, is essential. Tracking your progress through monitoring and evaluation allows you to see where you are succeeding or falling short. Establish SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound—that provide clarity and direction.

Planning is beneficial because it   catalyses growth. It helps track your business by setting realistic objectives within a defined timeframe, establishing benchmarks, and ensuring performance indicators are met. The only way to achieve growth is through careful planning.
Do not wait until you have money to plan; success can be achieved even in financially challenging environments through positive mental attitudes and sound planning. Collaborative planning fosters teamwork and builds confidence, making it an invaluable part of your farming journey.
Embracing the principles of strategic planning, smallholder farmers can transform their operations and pave the way for greater success in the agricultural sector.

Our voice shall be heard. We live today to impact tomorrow. Act against climate change. Together we can! Arise Zambia Agriculture A sleeping Economic Giant Campaign.

The author is an expert in Climate-Smart Agriculture, Organizational Leadership and Project Management. He is the founder and the Executive Director of the Agriculture Climate Action Foundation. For feedback, send comments to: acafoundationzambia@gmail or WhatsApp: +260-956-261174.