Returns from agriculture

Many people talk about farming, crops, the process of weeding, fertilizers, and the harvest. Still, a lot should be taken into consideration about the returns from agriculture before even thinking about investing a considerable amount of money especially if you are a first-time farmer.

(nutmeg flower)

Land

For example, you have to have an idea about how much land you are going to use for the farm. Whether it is yours or for lease. If you are leasing land, then it should be worth the amount otherwise it will be a huge loss. Secondly, the weather can, directly and indirectly, affect crops. So, you have to consider such factors before leasing the land or at least make sure to build a greenhouse structure to protect the crops.
Care also has to be taken about preparing the land for planting. It should be cleared of all weeds and waste otherwise weeds will overpower the crops and make them a waste.

(okra)

Organic fertiliser

Spraying chemical fertilizer may ensure the removal of weeds and bugs but the damage done to the health of not only the consumer but also the environment is unimaginable. Even if it is hard to procure or costly, it is better to use natural fertilizers and insecticides. Growing neem trees is useful because the leaves can be dried and powdered and used as a disinfectant. Cow dung and manure from a chicken farm are also used to boost growth.

(harvesting paddy field)

Animal farming

If you are planning to be a milk farmer, think hard and many times before investing. Cows and goats need a lot of care and full-time attention. I am writing from experience. Our cows are visited by the vet once every few months and have been marked by the village but we lost a milking cow and her grown-up calf to a lame cow disease. Within a day, the cow was affected and it was all over. The financial loss cannot be even written down because it was a fine breed and was about to be ready for impregnation. Well, that is farm life for you. Not to speak about the expense of having to hire a huge machine to dig a hole and bury the dead animal.

Goats are very cute and easy to take around but goats have a strange habit. These keep circling about and end up twisting the rope around the neck and if we are not vigilant, it can be over.

Aside from all the trouble, the returns from milk farming are great. The price of milk keeps increasing and other products such as curd, cheese, butter, ghee, and buttermilk also get you money. People always love to buy fresh products from a farm and if you do a bit of marketing, you will surely be in profit.

If you are raising chickens, make sure not to style it along the factory farm line because it is criminal to cage the birds and not let them roam freely.
Also, if one bird catches the flu, then it is game over.

Water

Water is the most important factor when it comes to farming. If you do not have a water source, then it is not at all advisable to invest in the project. Make sure to provide water that is required for the farm be it plant or animal.

Labor

Even if you are a healthy person and can do many things single-handedly, you do need labor for the farm. Otherwise, it will be a huge setback. Make sure to hire the best farm labor and also that they know the job otherwise it will be a case of trial and error. Any small mistake can cost you money.

Machines

Small things make a difference. Farmers do need appropriate machines. For example, a weighing machine can weigh up to 100 kilograms. Such a device will be really useful. A wheelbarrow can be used to carry stuff from the land to the shed. Tools that are very much needed for working and yes, a shed that can store such stuff as tools and machines. Machines should be regularly oiled to prevent rust.

Contracts

Always make sure to sign a contract with the labor to prevent future arguments. A signed deal is better than just a word over a drink. Updating the contract on a yearly basis is also advisable.

Protecting harvest

Last but not least, the crops and the animals should be protected. For example, people who grew fish were surprised to see an empty tank one morning. Some thieves had stolen all the fish during the night. Such theft could have been prevented by keeping a guard or at least a CCTV camera. The surprise visits by snakes and birds of prey and other such wild animals should also be restricted by using nets or grill gates and such.

I hope these points are useful to the reader. Please reblog if you think it will be helpful to many.

All images belong to sayee