Farming, as simple as it looks, can be daunting if proper plans are not put in place. We have concluded that we will engage in farming next year, which we hope to have all year round through irrigation and the application of fertilization. Our major and starting concern, however, was securing the piece of land to use. The farming intention is not limited to crops but extends to animal husbandry. We had several factors to consider, which I hope will better influence your thoughts and decisions if you are thinking about farming.
A) Farm locations
Farms are preferentially sited far away from residential homes; however, this comes with a lot of logistics, which I will be mentioning here, especially as it relates to Nigeria. There is a high chance that you will secure more plots of land for farming at a cheaper rate when the distance is farther from the urban area. This, however, should not be the singular factor influencing your choice of land location. It is essential to be informed by the community about the common dangers faced in that community, which can range from the encroachment of farms by herdsmen to the theft of farm produce. Due diligence of the community and its security is vital in choosing your land locations.
Farmlands should also be within reach, usually not more than a 45-minute drive. Farmlands that require hours of travel may be burdensome to the individual when traveling to and from them. The purpose of the farmland is important, as this equally influences your location. There are swampy lands suitable for crops such as rice and bananas, while there are other farm lands suitable for the likes of corn, beans, etc.
Your next supply chain of farm produce is vital to farm locations. It is usually better to site farms in areas proximal to the demand for your prospective crops. It would be unwise to have your farmland in northern Nigeria when farm produce is required in southern Nigeria. Of course, there are exceptions, but this has to be weighed appropriately. This factor is very important for perishable foods.
B.) LEASING OR BUYING YOUR FARMLAND
The human perspective prefers to own an asset, and this is similar to farmland. When business ideas come alive, we are often pushed to buy farmlands despite the limited resources. Occasionally, we may be gifted plots of land or even borrowed for free. Such lands are available only when you and the owner are on good terms. The limited financial resources, and perhaps, if you are not from that locality, you may prefer to lease the farmland rather than owning it.
Leasing of farmland is usually cheaper and averagely costs N100,000 ($100) per acre per annum, and could be less, especially when you are dealing with the community dwellers directly. I had a hectare of land leased for N25, 000 ($25) to me early last year when I engaged in rice farming, courtesy of my involvement with the community.
In contrast to leasing, the procurement of farmland can be expensive, especially depending on its location and purpose. The average cost of an acre of land is N1, 000,000 ($1, 000), while a hectare could cost as much as N2,500,000 ($2,500). For the average Nigerian, this is a lot of money, which may be enough to cultivate the farmland. As much as ownership of farmland is desirable, it may be difficult to achieve for the average or prospective farmer.
The leasing of farmlands usually spans 10 to 15 years and, occasionally, up to 25 years. Farming has a lot of logistics and risks, no doubt, but I believe that within this period of lease, you are likely to enjoy a bountiful farm yield and possibly make further expansions. It is possible to renew the lease contract agreement before then or even procure the farmland prior to expiration. Installing heavy or major farm assets may be a disadvantage for a farm lease.
Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.
ALL IMAGES ARE MINE