Farm mapping is the future of smart and efficient farming in Africa, says Babatunde Olarewaju in this week's edition of Letter to my Farmers. Utilising new technology to measure and study specific soils means we can learn more about what can grow best where, from the ground up (literally).
Farm mapping provides an overall view of the farm, highlighting the macro qualities of various portions of the land. This aids in planning and development of the farm, therefore increasing land use optimisation.
One of the best qualities employed in farm mapping is the use of soil characteristics. This is achieved through soil analysis to better understand the physical and chemical properties of the various portions of the farmland with the view to provide informed decisions, such as soil management plans for one's agricultural business. This is a major step, as it concerns the health status and nutrient availability of the soil. Therefore, various portions are mapped based on similar characteristics shared. Thus, we have a better perspective to know particular crops that can be grown on various parts of the farm, improving the soil health based on the soil information collected, and also properly managing agricultural production activities.
In conclusion, farm mapping is an important exercise for every farmer to embrace, and this can only be done after a comprehensive soil test analysis of the farm. These activities are important exercises that make the difference in increased agricultural productivity, and it is time for relevant stakeholders to put in the work to create awareness on the national level. Furthermore, the government should establish a working framework that should encourage more investment by private sectors for soil testing services.
Yours-in-service,
Babatunde
In his weekly column Letter to my Farmers, Babatunde Olarewajo writes about personal experiences and insights on farming, curated through working with smallholder farmers in Africa. Last week's letter is available here.
Babatunde (in grey) in a meeting and with fellow FutuX Agri-consult colleagues in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria
One of the best qualities employed in farm mapping is the use of soil characteristics. This is achieved through soil analysis to better understand the physical and chemical properties of the various portions of the farmland with the view to provide informed decisions, such as soil management plans for one's agricultural business. This is a major step, as it concerns the health status and nutrient availability of the soil. Therefore, various portions are mapped based on similar characteristics shared. Thus, we have a better perspective to know particular crops that can be grown on various parts of the farm, improving the soil health based on the soil information collected, and also properly managing agricultural production activities.
One of the best qualities employed in farm mapping is the use of soil characteristicsSadly, access to standard soil test laboratories is still lacking, especially in Nigeria, and the cost is very high. An average smallholder farmer (SMFs) can not afford it, thus, farmers produce crops based on trial and error, and this contributes to poor yield in many cases. However, in the last few years, have been a few organisations that have provided soil test services. However, scaling up has been the major challenge, as many farmers still don't see the importance of soil testing (or mapping their farm). Thus, more sensitization is needed to create the needed awareness from the grassroot, which is capital intensive and requires adequate funding.
In conclusion, farm mapping is an important exercise for every farmer to embrace, and this can only be done after a comprehensive soil test analysis of the farm. These activities are important exercises that make the difference in increased agricultural productivity, and it is time for relevant stakeholders to put in the work to create awareness on the national level. Furthermore, the government should establish a working framework that should encourage more investment by private sectors for soil testing services.
Yours-in-service,
Babatunde
In his weekly column Letter to my Farmers, Babatunde Olarewajo writes about personal experiences and insights on farming, curated through working with smallholder farmers in Africa. Last week's letter is available here.
"farmers produce crops based on trial and error, and this contributes to poor yield in many cases".
I think that farmers' experience, based on many (intergenerational) years of trial and error, is very important.
Toon, I've learned about the experiences of monks growing grapes in Roussillon area in France between 900-1400. Over a number of centuries they did their trials combining slopes, soils and varietals. The vineyards disappeared, but the books remained. A shrewd winemaker found a book and chased for the rest of them. Because of that, modern winemakers bought the plots left for centuries to nature and are now producing great and very expensive wines.
Don't you think modern equipment can help write 'the books' where they didn't exist and where modern minimal viable productions didn't exist?
I am not sure whether (large illiterate) farmers looking at cell phones for soil data will help them a lot, while decades of demonstrations fields did not convince them to adopt/adapt 'modern' farming methods.
Okay, I see what you mean Toon. Babatunde Olarewaju what do you think?
@Toon. Yes, trial and error is one method of learning. However, when there are modern technologies, adoption to increase productivity is key especially when the results keep declining and their livelihood being threatened.