WHY MOST FARMERS FAIL: FARMING BUSINESS: UDEH V.C.

I still remember in the year 2012 when my farming journey began, with me was Udeh Valentine Chidozie. We both were students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Many of our classmates wondered how we cope with studies and farming thinking we might fail. I remember Uchenna Faith linking me up with clients, that was a big encouragement to my quest, Ugonna virtue was always there to spice our day with smiles. Ekere Mathew always desired to farm but never had the will power to push. But within me, I was determined to see success in farming and that was my hope. Of course, lot's of mistakes were made which almost led to our failure in farming.
With my years of experience in the sector, I can tell some of the reasons why most farmers fail.

(Left-Right)Ekere,Uchenna,Valentine, Ugonna and Ozuluonye
June 2013

i. Not Taking Farming as Business
Most farmers don’t approach farming as an actual business so most times they tend to pay less attention to the little happenings in the farm. Of course, farmers have big and noble ambitions. But you still need to pay attention to the bottom line if you want the venture to be sustainable over a long period of time.

 ii. Blind to the market needs.
In my years of practice, I have come across farmers who venture into farming just because they heard poultry farming, fish farming or pig farming is profitable. They haven't even done a thorough research in the local market. You have to know your target market.
What do they really want?
broilers?
cockerels?
eggs?
Are they buying only in festive seasons or through out?
Who are your competitors?
Understand the market dynamics and the forces of demand and supply. As an entrepreneur start with the end in mind. Don't do poultry if you haven't done market research you will fail miserably.

 iii. Not taking it serious.
I have met farmers in our country who are doing business for the sake of it. Understand that poultry/livestock farming is not all about selling eggs and meat. Be an entrepreneur or else you will end up being another "me-too".
Remember the quail fiasco?
How many of you for example keep good records or even know how many birds they have?
Number of mortalities?
Invest in a good book read widely. You have to understand things like marketing, branding and cashflow management. You are responsible for your success or failure.

 iv. Lack of vision
Look around you and you will see big poultry farms around and beyond. Do you think those farms started overnight? They had a vision. They started with the end in mind. We always advise farmers to start small but that does not mean you stay down there forever. Their excuse is usually "I don't have the money to expand". You can't continue being small farmer when others are reaping millions. Have a vision and climb your way up. Africa must not continually depend on imported products. We are a sleeping giant. Have a small farmer mentality and you will remain that way forever.

 v. Lack of willingness to work with others
Some farmers would rather work alone than involve experts. They think that the experts are there to fleece and exploit them. They  would rather crack their brains trying to solve challenging problems than involve a vet or animal scientist, productionist or  nutritionist. In the end they become desperate and bow out of business. Why not also work with an experienced farmer who will empower you with knowledge of the latest trends, occurrence  and skills? To grow as a farmer you will need knowledge, skills and experience of others who are in the industry.

 vi. Getting discouraged easily.
Poultry farming is not a walk in the park. There are discouragements along the way but this doesn't warrant giving up. Many successful farmers in Nigeria and beyond have undergone great challenges to be where they are. As an animal health consultant, I have met many farmers who have narrated their ordeal to me. It's never that easy. Your birds will be wiped out by newcastle disease, feed prices will increase and egg prices decrease, Snakes or wild cat will kill your birds, floods will wipe out your entire flock or better still fire will raze down your poultry house. Do you sit down and cry yourself to sleep? A true farmer will pick up the pieces, lift his head high and face the challenges head on. Many may laugh at you and discourage you but pay no attention to them those are small minds who can't see the forest for the trees. You restock once more. You don't stop keeping poultry.

 vii. Get rich quick mentality
This is a common problem with most African farmers. They would rather become instant millionaires than work their way out. In the beginning the pioneers convinced farmers to keep quail and promised them of a lucrative business. An egg was going for a very high price. They were convinced of a ready market and some invested millions and bought incubators and built structures for quails. In the first few months the business was rosy for the few beginners but soon a whole brigade of farmers joined in. Things started going haywire and quail eggs and chicks prices dropped drastically followed by low demand of quail eggs. Soon the farmers started releasing the quails for wild cat and dogs to have a field day. It something most farmers would want to forget. What am I getting at? Patience and perseverance is the only way to success. Get- rich -quick schemes will only lead to failure.

A wise farmer has to consider all the above things if he has to succeed in poultry farming or in any other farming. I can only wish farmers a happy farming full of God's blessings and favours.

Read also;
How to eliminate odor in pig farm
Vaccine Failure: causes and prevention
Feeding pigs with poultry manure
Commercial breeds of pig

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