For small-scale crop farmers looking to improve their operations, effective production planning is key to ensuring success and profitability. Nqaba Mfaxa, a junior production manager at Saratoga Fruit Estate, shares valuable insights on how farmers can optimise their resources, align production with market demands, and mitigate risks to achieve their farming goals.
Mfaxa’s hands-on experience in crop production offers practical advice for farmers to enhance their practices and boost productivity. A well-structured production plan for crops is the backbone of any farming operation.
“A production plan actually guides you on how to achieve your farm goals,” explains Mfaxa. It ensures that daily, weekly, and seasonal activities are well-coordinated, allowing farmers to operate efficiently and meet their targets.
1. Keep up with the weather
When planning production on a farm, the first and foremost factor to consider is the weather. Farmers must align their production activities with weather conditions, as unfavourable weather can disrupt even the most well-laid plans.
A good farmer, Mfaxa advises, should monitor daily, weekly, and monthly weather forecasts to anticipate changes and adjust production schedules accordingly. Additionally, being familiar with your farming environment helps anticipate seasonal weather patterns, which is crucial for effective planning.
Mfaxa explains, “If the weather is not on the same track as you are, or it’s not the weather that you require for that type of production that you planned for, it’s definitely not going to work out. As a farmer, you have to keep track of the weather.”
Related posts
- Drip irrigation: Optimal solution for vegetable production
- Biological farming: A holistic approach to food production
2. Market research
Thorough market research helps ensure that production meets market needs at the right time, preventing oversupply or shortages. Along with demand, it’s essential to follow market guidelines, especially for farmers involved in export.
Understanding market guidelines is crucial, particularly when exporting produce. For example, Mfaxa explains that those seeking to export must provide documentation of compliance for each market.
“Market research is the most important, and abiding by the guidelines that the market requires,” he says.
Building strong connections is also key. Networking can help farmers access clients in distant markets through reliable contacts. “Make connections as much as you can, because we are living now in a world that is constantly changing.”
To determine the efficiency of a production plan, Mfaxa suggests keeping track of progress by outlining weekly goals. “If you’re hands-on, you can tick off completed tasks and monitor what still needs to be done.” This approach helps farmers assess whether their plan is working and allows them to adjust as needed.
3. Manage natural resources responsibly
Water and soil fertility are two essential natural resources farmers must prioritise for successful farming. Water management is a key concern for farmers, particularly in water-scarce regions.
“Water availability is one thing that you should always check upon,” says Mfaxa.
Farmers should ensure a steady water source, whether through proximity to a river or by constructing boreholes and water storage systems to manage daily irrigation needs based on weather conditions. Mfaxa also stresses that farmers should comply with relevant environmental laws.
“I would say the best way is to always have knowledge of the guidelines that [are stipulated] regarding environmental issues.”
Equally important is soil fertility, as fertile soil promotes better plant growth and yields higher-quality produce. “I would say if your water availability and your soil fertility are okay, then you are mostly good to go,” he adds.
4. Use technology
Mfaxa emphasises the role of technology in production planning. He describes some of the advanced tools farmers can use.
One such tool is DFM technologies for irrigation scheduling and fertilisation applications. MB4000, also from DFM technologies, is used for maintaining spray records. The My FarmWeb Capture (AgriTechnovation) programme is a tool used to monitor pests and help farmers with pest trap inspections. Agri Motion app he notes, is used for monitoring soil moisture.
“These programmes help you to have a proper production plan and give you a heads-up of the journey ahead,” says Mfaxa.
5. Mitigate risks
Despite careful planning, farming comes with risks. Bad weather, pest infestations, and theft are some of the challenges farmers face. Mfaxa provides tips for mitigating the following common risks:
Bad/extreme weather: Weather conditions, such as unexpected rain, can disrupt planned activities like spraying crops. To mitigate this, farmers must closely monitor weather forecasts and adjust their production plans accordingly.
“We all know that you can’t change the weather ahead but if you can plan ahead of it, then it’s much better for you,” says Mfaxa.
Pest infestations: Pest outbreaks can severely affect crop quality and profits. A proactive approach with regular checks is essential for minimising damage.
“In terms of the pest manifestation, the only way to mitigate that is to plan prior for monitoring and spraying as well,” advises Mfaxa.
Theft: Theft of farm produce is another risk farmers face, especially during harvest seasons. The best mitigation strategy, according to Mfaxa, is to invest in and employ stringent security measures to protect the farm and its produce throughout the season.
“I would say the best way would be having security people who will guard your produce till the end of the season,” he says.
ALSO READ: Prepare like a pro for livestock auctions and reap big rewards
Sign up for Farmer’s Inside Track: Join our exclusive platform for new entrants into farming and agri-business, with newsletters and podcasts.
