Thread by @babatafi

Thread
1: Pitching Youths for Sustainable Change in Bio-Science Business Growth
Some truths on farming in Zimbabwe.
Agriculture is a science & a business
Farming is not a quick money scheme
Owning land doesn't make you a farmer, it just makes you a landowner

#ZimAgricRising

2: Putting a crop in the field or owning an animal doesn't make you a farmer.

How can you call yourself a farmer when you don't want to invest in in knowledge and understand the science in farming?

3: As we focus on #ZimAgricRising we need to be honest to each other. Farming is not easy nor is it for everyone. A business like any other it requires capital. Unless if you into subsistence farming were its all about your own consumption.

4: Commercial farming is about making money & to do so there is need for proper investment. This is a medium to long term project and you need to be determined and focused.
If you want quick buck, try something else as you will be disssapointed, farming is not like that

5: For growth to increase as youths we need to stick in our own lanes. Take self introspection and think through our work and the impact it can have. We need to stay away from Freebies and focus on what we are doing well, the rest will sort itself out.

6: Becareful of some voices which are there to gain their milage not ours and nothing will materialise

The ministry of lands need to focus on land tenure and address these issues, idle land need to be utilised and see if the youths will not deliver.

7: Lets not forget land is a tool and just about every other war in Africa is on land access and control. There will always be people focused on controlling resources underground and above and also as political milage.

8: Youthies lets organise ourselves better, stay grounded, we have the potential. We have the private sector & some private citizens watching & will help.

Farming should be taken as a science business & importantly lets invest in Knowledge. Social media farming doesn't work

9: Financial literacy in Agric is fundamental. It’s beyond farm budgets bt how we can turn agric to investable business entities. This is where we want 2 go & not unsustainable debts, as current financial architecture limits possibilities due to other fundamental economic matters

10: Markets are not very kind in Zimbabwe. Study them and directly to get the full gamut of information to influence your decisions. It’s not just producing this or that. No to Gundamusaira farming. It’s beyond GAP.

11: It’s your responsibility to seek the right market signals, plan your farming, and have precision in whatever u do and resources u need. At times, it’s bad news you will loose a whole crop or animals.

12: Think through your insurance mechanisms, to rebound and keep going. It’s just the right thing to do
Knowledge networks are key. Must be practical. Join local farmer associations.

13: Learn to network. Invest in those knowledge networks because that brings high returns. Past farmers had regional associations, country farm clubs. They met, socialized & created their own “extension consultancy” & know what 2 do, get the returns on commodities in their region

14: Get off social media type of knowledge. It’s not good enough. You use the power of social media to organise in your regions and like producers to inspire you and always try get mentorship from experienced elders

Good day

#ZimAgricRising

@bvumie @Makera_Cattle @ndakaripa @gospelmatondi @DairayiDavis @vargoe21 @ChelleChipato @lindagabriel263 @FarmMakeoverCo @corporatefarmg1 @RedSoilFarm @TafadzwaMamvura @sansoleopinion @MoLAFWRR_Zim @terrymap1 @MaminiminiObert @tinochiremba @leroy14wood @BeautyZhuwao @xandatoto

@Shumblex @garweh2011 @W3Zhira @farm_zimbabwe @torencett @IzinkomoFarms @VundaFarm @masiemsoko @MukuvariKaroi

@tenkatreats @PhilipMtserwa @Phidze72 @famatiz @IshmaelChiwayu @Admryr @kmugova @TMoloten

@JamesMuwu @TichMabunu @ngirazid @Nyarielastborn @ChamunorwaMush4

15: Now everyone is growing sweet potatoes - but that creates a marketing problem - but should you organize along same varieties that have an export market it can prove to be an excellent move - commodity associations really help but require commitment

#ZimAgricRising