FARM MANAGER: A farm manager is the person charged with the responsibility of directing the affairs of the farm administratively and technically. A farm manager is responsible for the management and general maintenance of a farm. He supervises fertilizing, planting, spraying, cultivating and harvesting procedures of crops and supervises the general care of the animals and be diligent in the control of illnesses for livestock.
FUNCTIONS OF A FARM MANAGER
i) Evaluation: The farm manager makes judgment on the number of inputs in terms of labour and machinery that is needed on the farm.
ii) Marketing: He ensures that farm produce gets to the market and fetch a good price. He has to ensure the produce are well stocked to the market in terms of packaging. He determines the quantity of produce to sell, at what price to sell, when to sell for maximum profit.
iii) Administration: Farm manager is concerned with the supervision of work in the farm, direct staff on day to day activities, rewards or disciplines staff according to their performance, makes arrangement for staff welfare. He administers the overall affairs of other workers on the farm and ensure they are well paid and dedicated to their duties.
iv) Organisation: The farm manager by extension is the entrepreneur, because he puts labour and machinery to work. He uses his wisdom to determine how much labour is needed to supplement machinery. The manager determines how to procure credit loan, the scale of production, what to produce, how to produce, the employment of staff, etc.
v) Production: Production is done when planted crops are harvested. It is the duty of the farm manager to decide when it is time to harvest. The farm manager is responsible for the purchase and use of farm inputs, ensures the health of crops or animals on the farm. He ensures the use of modern farming techniques and makes arrangement for the security of farm produce.
PROBLEMS FACED BY FARM MANAGERS
i) Inadequate capital due to the fact that the collateral security to obtain loan is not there or the interest rate is too high.
ii) Government policies discourage good farm activities like restricting importation of materials.
iii) Marketing problems like not knowing how, when, where to sell farm products.
iv) Farm input may not be adequate.
v) Poor research information due to extension problem.
vi) Transport problem with regard to roads, vehicles and spare parts.
vii) The staff caliber may also affect his performance.
A farm manager needs:
- good planning and problem-solving ability
- to enjoy working outside in all kinds of weather
- good communication and organisational skills
- a responsible attitude and to be able to work independently
- to be comfortable working with animals
- mechanical aptitude and to be able to work with computers
- To be able handle isolation and minimal social interaction.
Assessment
What are the problems a farm manager faces?