Five Things You Need To Start A Successful Greenhouse Farming So what you need to start successful greenhouse farming is: 1. A passion - This has to come from deep within you. Greenhouse farming is not an easy business so if you do not have an innate drive to keep you moving, you may give up along the way. 2. Information - Greenhouse farming is a little advanced that the traditional open-field farming. You need to be well equipped with information otherwise you may face tough challenges. Invest in research, visit people doing this kind of business and keep a consultant near you till you are good to go by yourself. 3. Source of water - Greenhouse farming is done purely through irrigation. So you need to have a reliable source of water; a permanent river, a dam, water hole or piped water with a reliable supply. 4. Capital - This is not just about the money required for putting up a greenhouse. You need to factor in the money you will need to do research, the money for labour and the cost of inputs such as seeds/seedlings and agro-chemicals. Ill give the costs I am aware of: if you buy a greenhouse from Great Farm, the wooden one will cost Sh95,000 while the metallic one will cost Sh150,000. That includes the drip irrigation system. Labour costs vary from one place to another so check out in the area where you intend to set up the farm to find out their costs. The costs of inputs also vary depending on the type of crop that you want to cultivate and your location as well. In some areas, because of say the distance from the source of agro-chemicals, these inputs cost more than in other areas. 5. Action - People get really inspired and fired up when they hear about greenhouse farming. Sadly, it all ends at that; they never take action. So dont let yourself be like them. You have an interest? Develop a passion and hit the ground running. Action should not end at the farm; you also need to go out in search of market. May I take this chance to clear a misconception I have seen: people think that you only need to do a greenhouse, produce nice tomatoes (or whatever else) and customers will come running to buy your produce. Its not the case. Farming is a business so you will have to do a bit of marketing and looking for customers to be successful in greenhouse farming. Remember, if you have any questions, you can always email me at kipjosig@gmail and I will be glad to be of help to you. For those who reads this, lets us assist those groups that have benefited from UWEZO Fund to at least come up with projects that can assist them and not business as usual. The money might look little but a long journey starts with a single step. Kweli, ma youth tunaweza make doh na farming. Let’s be job creators
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 04:23:53 +0000
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