Steps to Consider in Running a Farm Remotely

Note: This is targeted at anyone from the African Diaspora living in another continent and trying to manage a farm.

Considerations

Size of the Farm
What is being grown on the farm?
Current status of the farm - is it being developed? Rented to one farmer or more? Left fallow?
Do the remote owners of the farm have updated information on the farm and the use of the farm
The terms of the rental agreement and any specifics

Actions to take to get up to date information

Gather all information about the current status of the farm including:

Finding out how much of the farm is currently being rented
What is the farmer(s) growing on the farm?
What are the payment agreements for all the current renters on the farm?
Where are the current farmers selling their products?
How much are the current farmers producing?
To whom are the current farmers selling their products?
Are any of the products being processed by the farmers?
Are they selling their produce to processors? If they are, who are the processors?
What information can you gather about other farmers and processors?
What other products are being grown in the area?
Discussion of possible partnerships with other farmers not just in the area but in nearby areas.
Identification of possible candidates to manage the Investment while current investors are living outside the farm location.

How can a Business Consultant Help with the management of the farm

1. Provide an initial Business plan -

This initial business plan will include:

a. Market analysis of the agriculture market

b. Recommendations for how the investors can move forward

c. Provide more detailed information of the investor’s agriculture market including:

i. Storage options

ii. Processing options

iii. Identifying places to get possible equipment

iv. Pricing information

v. Any other relevant information