Modern-day farming is fast-paced and multifaceted. With agricultural technologies, government policies, and best practices advancing daily, running a successful operation has become increasingly complex.
To navigate this, farmers must move beyond simple ownership and embrace professional management. Hiring a farm manager with expertise in logistics, financial planning, and market trends is essential to ensure peak productivity and profitability.
Maricho Media (MM) recently caught up with Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, during a tour of Nyombwe Farm in Mazowe. We discussed why farmers need managers with strong networks within the agricultural value chain. Professional management is usually the missing link in a farmer’s farm’s profitability.
Here are excerpts from that discussion.
MM: Why is professional farm management so critical in the current agricultural climate?
Prof Jiri: Farm management is critical. Obviously, you can have all the inputs and resources in place, but you need the ability to manage them properly. To do that, you need someone with expertise in logistics and the technical know-how to apply those resources correctly.
You cannot just get anyone without expertise in farming or administration to run your operation. You need someone trained specifically in management. Resource accumulation is one thing; managing those resources and applying them effectively is another.
MM: What is the most common mistake farm owners make regarding management?
Prof Jiri: The biggest mistake most of our farmers make is trying to do it all themselves. A farm owner is not necessarily a good manager. Even a supervisor who has experience in general farming is not necessarily a qualified manager.
You need to find a balance. The farm owner’s primary duty is to ensure resources are mobilized and available. A good manager is there to ensure that those resources are converted into products and put to good use. Getting a qualified manager is a prerequisite for successful farming.
MM: How should a farm manager interact with government extension officers?
Prof Jiri: The manager is focused on the internal operations of that one specific farm. He knows best what resources are available and what the farm’s specific goals are.
However, the external person—the extension officer—is the link to what is happening in other areas and what new technical information is available. Therefore, the farm manager must always engage with the extension officer to understand trends in other farms and regions. That synergy is how the farm improves on what they are doing.