Often, we see success stories of farmers on different platforms, and it appears as though agriculture is rosy and many of us quickly want to jump into it. If we decide to venture into agriculture, it is encouraged that we try and follow the footsteps or at least learn from the experiences of those who have walked the path before us.
The other side of agriculture, you also get people who have tried to make it in the sector and failed dismally. The existence of these two groups of people is reason enough for someone who wants to venture into agriculture to find out what the first group is doing right.
During an interview with the ZFU youth Chairperson, Ruramiso Mashumba, on the launch of her solar farm, insights were shared pertaining the subject of discussion here, that is: How to successfully make it in agriculture, how to graduate from one level to another.
With all the other successes attributed to her name, including many agricultural related awards locally and internationally, as well as being given leadership responsibilities at a local, regional and global scale, Ruramiso recently launched a 220-panel solar farm.
Asked how she does it, Ruramiso highlighted that it was through networking, she noted that capitalising on her social capital has made it possible for her to get subsidised equipment and favorable installments for her projects.
Ruramiso also hinted that good negotiation skills are also important when aiming to get discounts.
"I couldn't really afford the solar equipment, but I was fortunate enough to get a huge discount because I managed to negotiate otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford it. It was really through networking that I was able to get my subsidised amount," she said
"This is how I have also been able to grow, trying to find partners and being able to negotiate. Negotiating is one of the things we learn at the World Farmers’ Organisation’s Gymnasia which I am part of through ZFU nomination," she added.
After reading the above text, were big names like that of the World Farmers' Organisation (WFO) have been thrown in, one might ask, "How do I get there, what should be my entry point?"
We asked Ruramiso the same question and this was her response, "For me, entry was being a member of Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) and learning to network with their contacts as well as sharing my story with them and their stakeholders,".
Giving a comment on how being a part of a farmers’ organisation can be beneficial to a farmer, the ZFU Secretary General, Mr Paul Zakariya said, "Indeed being a member of a farmer organisation like the ZFU will help farmers in their agriculture enterprises as the Union will provide a platform for them to interact with other farmers and relevant stakeholders. The Union has also negotiated for discounts for its members from various agro-dealers and service providers".
It is often said that, success in life is not an accident, one must plan for it. Success in agriculture is no different, acquiring knowledge about the industry and doing case-studies on those farmers who have made it in the sector is part of the planning one can do.