FARMING NUGGETS

The effects of the pandemic have resulted in many businesses experience low-profit margins in various economic sectors that contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of a country not even sparing the Agriculture Sector.

According to the Agri-Business Sector in Zambia 2019 report,  the sector has been facing challenges due to the increasing cost of inputs such as electricity, fuel and wages, and competition from illegally imported edible oil.

Zambia`s agriculture is predominantly rain-fed, making the sector highly dependent on weather patterns, although there are abundant surface and sub-surface water resources most of the irrigated land is found on commercial farms.

Further other challenges faced by the sector include limited mechanisation and restricted access to credit by smallholder farmers in particular

in this view Mulimi Founder Zindaba Hanzala has urged local farmers to work as cooperatives if they are to scale up farming as a business at a larger scale.

Mrs Hanzala notes that most local farmers do lack the necessary skills and capital in the industry hence the need to work in groups may help them achieve good results

She explains that those who intend to venture into farming must develop an understanding of the market trends and invest in the technology that is required.

And Mrs Hanzala urges farmers to take the farming business intentionally unlike been misled by what others exaggerate about the industry.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Agro Tech Institute vice Principal Jestone Mhango has also advised farmers to execute best farming practices in the 2021-2022 farming season in order to maximize their profit margins.

Mr Mhango affirms that farmers must be able to follow the right steps when preparing for their crops especially the maize growers on time to avoid wasting resources.

He says that farmers that intend to grow maize must understand the seed varieties based on the levels of maturity on time and that they must take into account the soil testing process and other important steps that should be followed when planting and harvesting their produce.

Additionally, Mr Mhango emphasizes the need for farmers to plan effectively for the incoming farming season in order to yield a good bumper harvest.