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Elton Manguwo

THE Government’s thrust to treat farming as a business has influenced farmers to adopt sustainable production methods and grow market-driven crops for profitability, thanks to the establishment of partnerships between farmers and with value chain led enterprises in most cases.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Dr John Basera revealed this yesterday saying the current emphasis was now on sustainable business models on the farmers’ part to ensure profitability and excite agricultural growth.

“As Government we encourage farmers to do market driven production of crops. This means they should not produce crops just for the sake of it,” observed Dr Basera.

The Government has since introduced various programmes to ensure farmers adopt a business approach in their farming operations to boost production and profitability in the sector.

According to the second Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment there was a general increase in area planted and production volumes for most crops in the 2022/23 agricultural season, as farmers implemented the business model to improve the volumes and subsequently, earnings.

Dr Basera further observed that the concept of treating farming as business had contributed to the success recorded in the agriculture sector to date.

“We have been encouraging farmers to take up farming as a business as it enhances productivity and profitability,” said Dr Basera. 

The 2022/23 farming season saw the country achieving a record winter wheat crop coupled by a successful summer season culminating in the country’s attaining the food secure tag.

On the hand, the Government also implemented various policies and strategies to create an enabling environment for farming to thrive as a business.

“We urge farmers to take advantage of the permitting operating environment created by the Government in empowering small-scale farmers,” said Dr Basera.

The Government is also encouraging partnerships to enhance agribusiness, as the country moves to attain an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“Government and private sector partnerships are confirmations of the implementation of innovative policies, which are enhancing investment opportunities in agriculture,” said Dr Basera.

Additionally, the import substitution thrust introduced by the Government seeks to empower local manufacturers and producers to produce that which can be consumed by the industry.

“Production and profitability anchor the Government’s vision of rural development and industrialisation,” said Dr Basera highlighting how growth of the agriculture economy in the country is key for the development of the overall economy.

The Government tasked the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) and the Agricultural Market Authority (AMA) to help farmers properly conduct production and marketing.

“Agriculture innovations allow businesses to be more profitable, efficient, safer, unique, competitive and are more environmentally friendly,” said Dr Basera. 

The Government is urging farmers to take farming as business and transition from subsistence to farming for surplus and commerce thus realising the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.