kenthefarmer
Lister
Agriculture is a crucial sector for Kenya, but many farms are collapsing, and the reasons are more complex than one might think. It's easy to blame the weather or market prices, but the real issues go much deeper. Poor management, lack of knowledge, outdated practices, and ineffective advice are some of the biggest factors contributing to this decline. Here’s a deeper look into what’s going wrong.
Poor Workmanship and Lack of Vision
One of the biggest problems facing many farms today is poor management. In many cases, farm managers are more focused on collecting their salaries than pushing the farm's vision forward. This lack of commitment to the farm’s long-term success can have devastating effects on productivity and growth. Worse still, some managers might even steal from the farm, siphoning off resources meant to improve operations.
Unqualified Agronomists
Another major issue is the increasing presence of unqualified agronomists who, fresh from school, start advising farmers without the real-world experience required. These so-called "experts" often recommend harmful pesticides and fungicides without fully understanding the long-term impacts on the farm and the environment. The lack of experience is a ticking time bomb, as their advice may lead to unnecessary costs and even crop failure.
Overreliance on Rainfall
Many farmers in Kenya still rely on rain-fed agriculture, which is increasingly unreliable due to climate change. The absence of proper irrigation systems and water management practices means that farmers are often left at the mercy of the weather. This unpredictability is disastrous, particularly when rainfall fails or comes in excess, leading to crop loss and frustration.
Sticking to Old Technologies and Products
There’s also a disturbing tendency to hold onto outdated farming practices. A good example is an old man I know from Mwea, my home place, who still grows bulb onions. However, he rarely produces a decent yield because he insists on using manure directly from his cow shed without proper composting, and he doesn't control pests and diseases. According to him, things were much better in the 90s when they used to grow onions in abundance. His refusal to change his methods, despite overwhelming evidence that things have changed, has led to dwindling yields.
This attachment to old practices, along with the continued use of outdated products, keeps many farms from progressing. Technology has advanced, but some farmers are stuck in the past, unwilling to adopt new methods that could make a real difference.
Fear of the Market
Fear is another factor that contributes to the collapse of farms. Many farmers are afraid to go to the market because they think others will steal their produce, or worse, they'll be seen as poor. This fear keeps them from taking their products to the right buyers, leading to post-harvest losses or selling at extremely low prices. This reluctance to engage with the market hurts the financial sustainability of many farms.
Too Much Advice, Too Little Action
Farmers often listen to too many different voices, all offering advice that contradicts each other. This can cause confusion and poor decision-making, leading to huge losses. Instead of focusing on proven strategies and staying consistent, the farmer gets overwhelmed by a flood of opinions and ends up making mistakes that could have been avoided.
Lack of Knowledge
One of the underlying causes of farm failure is the lack of knowledge among farmers. The basics of good farming practice ,whether it's soil health, pest control, or managing farm finances are not widely understood. Take my dairy goats, for example. They have been dying during giving birth, and despite seeking help from the local vets, the advice they give is vague and unhelpful. The vets themselves don’t have enough knowledge to address the problem. This lack of expertise in the farming community only worsens the situation.
Leave a comment what you also think !
~village investor
Poor Workmanship and Lack of Vision
One of the biggest problems facing many farms today is poor management. In many cases, farm managers are more focused on collecting their salaries than pushing the farm's vision forward. This lack of commitment to the farm’s long-term success can have devastating effects on productivity and growth. Worse still, some managers might even steal from the farm, siphoning off resources meant to improve operations.
Unqualified Agronomists
Another major issue is the increasing presence of unqualified agronomists who, fresh from school, start advising farmers without the real-world experience required. These so-called "experts" often recommend harmful pesticides and fungicides without fully understanding the long-term impacts on the farm and the environment. The lack of experience is a ticking time bomb, as their advice may lead to unnecessary costs and even crop failure.
Overreliance on Rainfall
Many farmers in Kenya still rely on rain-fed agriculture, which is increasingly unreliable due to climate change. The absence of proper irrigation systems and water management practices means that farmers are often left at the mercy of the weather. This unpredictability is disastrous, particularly when rainfall fails or comes in excess, leading to crop loss and frustration.
Sticking to Old Technologies and Products
There’s also a disturbing tendency to hold onto outdated farming practices. A good example is an old man I know from Mwea, my home place, who still grows bulb onions. However, he rarely produces a decent yield because he insists on using manure directly from his cow shed without proper composting, and he doesn't control pests and diseases. According to him, things were much better in the 90s when they used to grow onions in abundance. His refusal to change his methods, despite overwhelming evidence that things have changed, has led to dwindling yields.
This attachment to old practices, along with the continued use of outdated products, keeps many farms from progressing. Technology has advanced, but some farmers are stuck in the past, unwilling to adopt new methods that could make a real difference.
Fear of the Market
Fear is another factor that contributes to the collapse of farms. Many farmers are afraid to go to the market because they think others will steal their produce, or worse, they'll be seen as poor. This fear keeps them from taking their products to the right buyers, leading to post-harvest losses or selling at extremely low prices. This reluctance to engage with the market hurts the financial sustainability of many farms.
Too Much Advice, Too Little Action
Farmers often listen to too many different voices, all offering advice that contradicts each other. This can cause confusion and poor decision-making, leading to huge losses. Instead of focusing on proven strategies and staying consistent, the farmer gets overwhelmed by a flood of opinions and ends up making mistakes that could have been avoided.
Lack of Knowledge
One of the underlying causes of farm failure is the lack of knowledge among farmers. The basics of good farming practice ,whether it's soil health, pest control, or managing farm finances are not widely understood. Take my dairy goats, for example. They have been dying during giving birth, and despite seeking help from the local vets, the advice they give is vague and unhelpful. The vets themselves don’t have enough knowledge to address the problem. This lack of expertise in the farming community only worsens the situation.
Leave a comment what you also think !
~village investor