17 farming laws every farmer should live by

Kenya’s agricultural industry is the backbone of the country’s economy, accounting for over 30% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Agriculture is the primary source of income for most Kenyans, providing employment and livelihoods for millions of people.

The country’s fertile soil and favorable climate make it an excellent location for cultivating a wide range of crops for local consumption and export.

While some farmers have made a lot of money from farming, others, especially small-scale farmers do not make enough money to meet their basic needs and live in dignity.

This is due to various factors, including high production costs, a lack of market for produce, and a lack of agricultural training.

These, among other factors have seen some farmers abandon farming and look for other jobs, thereby increasing the rate of unemployment.

This article features some farming laws that every farmer should know to maximize their earnings and live in dignity.

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1. Never target high seasons; high seasons come with their own challenges. Be a farmer, not a gambler.
2. Choose at least two main crops and a crop rotation plan. Switching from one crop to another is not directly in your pocket.
3. Plan your farm and always have crops at different stages of age to ensure a constant supply.
4. No crop is more profitable in itself; just master the advantages and disadvantages of each particular crop.
5. Having a big farm is not a guarantee for successful farming.
6. Have a spraying and fertilizing plan and stick to it.
7. Never follow the advice of agro-veterinarians and agrochemical sales agents blindly. Some of them are just salespeople and not agronomists.
8. Try as much as possible to reduce agricultural expenses without compromising the quality of products.
9. Never hold onto a product if it is perishable. Sell it at prevailing prices.
10. Never plant a new seed on a large scale before testing it, unless you have seen it somewhere.
11. Never entrust your million-dollar idea to a farm worker; make sure you are present during critical stages of crop development until commercialization.
12. Never employ a close family member to manage your farm; most of them will let you down.
13. If you are neighboring crop farmers, plant the same crop(s)!
14. Always have a farm plan.
15. Old is always good. Most old seed varieties and chemicals will never disappoint you.
16. Passion in agriculture is important if you want to be a farmer!
17. Never use 100% chemical fertilizers!

Learn to blend your chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers! Chemical fertilizers alone will gradually kill your soil as it also has life like any other living things.

Soil has life for us to benefit from! We need to feed it with organic matter since we can never always depend on chemicals, as soil is organic, and it needs food for microorganisms to grow!