If you will be successful in the upcoming farming venture, good site selection is key.
Everybody wants the land for farming, but selecting a “good” one is the issue. The land is the most important item in that regard. Therefore, a good site selection is a key to the success of every farming venture.
Read to the end and avoid the most common mistakes farmers make when they are starting their farms. You will know all the questions to ask and what to look out for when you want to acquire land for agricultural purposes.
First, we would look at the general meaning of agriculture. This is the pillar for all the land acquisition considerations.
Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals to produce food for human consumption.
Now let us look at the points to consider in site selection for farming purposes.
1. Climatic factors
These factors refer to rainfall, humidity, wind pressure and direction, temperature, etc. They must be favourable to the farming enterprise you choose. Be it crops or animals. Different types of crops do well under a certain range of climatic conditions. Likewise, certain animals.
So, it is important to consider the factors that will benefit your farming enterprise. Avoid those that will not.
Read also: Indicators ! How worse climate change is affecting farming.
2. Socio-economic factors
Socio-economic factors include infrastructure, population, settlements, markets, labour and others. Infrastructure, includes access roads, electricity, water, telecommunication, health facilities, police stations, etc. The presence of these makes it a good site for a venture like a poultry farm. However, its nearness to the urban settlement may make it unsuitable.
Another example is security and health. Some ventures may require the presence of health facilities and police presence. You may also need a market close to your farm and available labour. You must do careful research to assess the suitability of a farm site in the presence or absence of all or a combination of the socio-economic factors.
Read also: Detailed steps on how to Start a Farm
3. Edaphic factors
Edaphic factors are related to soil conditions like structure, fertility, texture, porosity, consistency, etc. These soil factors determine a suitable farming enterprise. Be it crops or animals. Lands with clayey soils may be good for fish farming if all other factors are favourable.
Some lands are prone to flooding and/or erosion. If you have the resources, you can manage and turn them into a profitable farm eg. fish farming. However, with a crop farm like vegetables and tree crops in mind, avoid such areas. as it will not favour the crops.
4. Environmental factors
Your farming operations should not have a negative effect on the environment. Some farming activities, when exposed to humans or animals, can be harmful. This is usually the case when you site farms close to urban areas.
On the other hand, the environment may also have a negative impact on your farm, reducing productivity. Some farms are forced to move or change operations when urban developments catch up. It is therefore very important to consider this factor in the selection of your site for farming.
Read also: 6 Basic Soil Problems and Recommended Solutions in Agriculture
5. Government policies
Various governments make policies that help them achieve growth in agriculture. You can take advantage of it and set up your farm in a location likely to benefit from the implementation of the policy. For example, the government may decide to cut taxes for farms in a particular area or zone of the country.
Also, the government may increase the allocation of subsidised fertilizer and other agro-inputs for certain areas of the countries. You may build a farm in such areas to take advantage of it. You must consider government policies in your site selection for farming purposes.
Read also: What is the Agricultural Solution for Nomadic Fulani Herdsmen and Crop Farmers in Ghana?
6. Biotic factors
This relates to the presence or absence of some harmful or beneficial organisms. In site selection for farming purposes, you may consider the natural population of certain organisms, like bees and other pollinators, and fewer pests and disease-causing organisms.
Where the farming venture involves tree crops, farmlands in forest areas are better. However, you must avoid places with a long history of pests and diseases. Also, you should be careful in choosing a site with certain dominant weeds which are difficult to control.
7. Economic factors
If you want your agricultural business to thrive, then this factor is the most important one to consider. It includes the cost, benefits, and terms of the lease or acquisition.
You need to carry out a feasibility study of the site to make sure that it will yield enough returns to sustain your farm. This will give you an idea and a better knowledge of the site that will give you the highest returns, considering all the other factors.
In summary
The site may determine the suitable farming enterprise and vice versa. Before you decide on the site for your farm or the right enterprise for your site, use all available expertise.
Featured Image source: Windy Hill Organic Farm
