Book Description

Learn How To Start a Successful Farm Business That Gives you the Financial Wealth and allows you to Create Job and Employment for Youths and Women in your Rural communities in Africa Are you an African diaspora, professional or you are planning to retire soon from your job to be your boss and run your commercial farm?Or you wish to alleviate poverty for those living in the rural community in Africa through youth and rural empowerment. Or to improve the productivity and livelihood of farmers from subsistence to commercial farming in Africa, this is the right book for you. This book was written by an experienced farmer and trainer to help bridge the knowledge gap required to establish and operate a successful commercial farm in Africa. It is a practical and easy to understand guide that will help you take their ideas from conception through to implementing, operating and profitably marketing of your product. It's also a handy resource for the more experienced pig-keeper who occasionally needs to dip into a quick-reference manual for help and reassurance.This book is divided into three sections: Business sectionFarm operations sectionThe marketing section In the business section of the book, we consider each of these topics in details1. Why this is a good time to invest in farming in Africa2. Reasons why people are venturing into commercial pig farming3. The correct attitudes of a successful commercial farmer4. How much capital do you need to start a commercial farm?5. How to raise fund your farmFarm Operations section, we look at:1. Where to locate your farm, important factors to consider such as the size and the location of your farm, e.g. proximity to market and feed suppliers, good neighbourliness, accessibility 2. Factors and things to consider when building your farm 3. How to choose the best pigs and transport them to the farm4. How to manage your different categories of pigs boar, gilt, sow, weaners and piglets throughout their different stages of life, e.g. detecting heat, mating, pregnancy, farrowing and weaning.The uniqueness of this book is that it did not only tell the farmer what to do alone but also exposed the physiology and anatomy of pigs that are relevant for farmers. It uses this to explain what the pig is going through during the stressful and critical situations like mating, pregnancy etc. and how a farmer can better assist the pig.In the final section, we look at the various stakeholders who are involved in moving our pigs from the farmgate to the consumer in sub-Sahara Africa. And how this relationship affects the market price of your product from the farm gate to the consumer. We also look at different methods of adding value to your farm products and how best to position and market your product profitably. As a diaspora farmer, I tried to strike a balance between the attractive features of living on the farm and being your boss, but I also emphasised the unpleasant and tough ones. It is my sincere hope that this book will help you to avoid failure, delay, disappointment, and mistakes that are typical of people who are new to farming. It should also help you to attain the satisfaction that characterises personal and well-directed efforts in agriculture.