Today let’s talk about identifying the right markets for your crops. Let’s face it, the majority of us are in farming for the money. Tree hugging is cool and important, but so is ensuring that you have a sustainable commercial project.

In my view, there are probably two key types of farming. The romantic and the commercial. The romantic side of farming involves a “cheers, baba” jacket, a cooler, a good phone for Instagram pics and the nyama guy on speed dial. The commercial type of farming, however, involves having a fine balance of skills in managing human resources and book keeping, attention to detail, and self-drive. Perhaps the biggest motivator for commercial farming aspirations is identifying a good market for your hard-earned work.

I get a lot of questions concerning the best crops to grow. My answer is as consistent as a dead clock is correct twice a day: The best crop to grow is the crop that has the most profitable price and moves in the market the fastest. For example, if the market you have identified desires curly skuma wiki and is willing to pay the best price for it, then that is the crop you grow.  Now, identifying a market goes far beyond reading about trends in the dailies or listening to your buddy who says they made a killing from trading quail eggs. One has to go door to door to the various potential buyers to understand certain preferences – size, colour, smell etc. If you’re dealing in potatoes, for instance, and would like to sell these to large chain restaurants and eateries, it is prudent to understand their processes. For example, did you know that for every kilogram of potatoes bought, an estimated 40% is wasted through the peeling and cleaning process? Some potatoes also require more cooking oil to fry to achieve that golden look and wonderful taste of chips. If you approached this processor with a well-researched solution to help cut their costs through providing a more suitable variety of potato depending on its end use, you, my friend, will be off to the races. It must be emphasised, though, that it is not advisable to begin crop production before you have identified your market. Please recite and memorise this creed.

Another fundamental consideration, in the conversation about markets, is that price is not always everything. Yes, I said it. Ask yourself this, would you rather make a killing for one season or make a steady profit for years to come as a result of the market relationships you have made?  Look, we are all human but instant gratification can be our cyanide. Cultivate relationships that will outlive you. What started as a one-acre farm could end up being a multi-billion-shilling farming empire. All success begins with an idea conceived in the mind and executed through a combination of, amongst many things, a clear purpose and diligence.

When I first started Tukalime, I spent many days in Marikiti with the hardworking men and women who trade produce there. I did this to understand the grassroots commerce of dealing with fresh produce and to be a student of their lives, their successes and their failures. This later allowed me to speak in boardrooms with a voice of authority, and gave me an upper hand in negotiating prices of produce grown under Tukalime.

Ladies and gentlemen, farming is rewarding. However, you have to approach it with great thought, purpose and tact. If you ever feel like the choice of farming is not a glamorous career move, I will leave you with this quote from the Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Every one lives by selling something.” Have a fruitful October! Twende Tukalime.