Need input/direction for Farming/Agriculture in south India?

Question

I work for a corporate India in a mangement capacity and in my lower 30's. I have purchased around 10 acres of land (karnataka/tamilnad border, near hosur) in view of moving to rural India. That life is completely new to me but I want to learn the art/science of agriculture/farming and sustain myself to move forward and put the technology and my skills to good use by pulling forward the non so educated neighbours. Where should I start? Who do I contact in Bangalore? How much capital do I need to invest up front? Is there a check list of things I can go through? Is there some kind of a starter kit of some start - check list, to dos, muts does, nice to haves? All your help/input is very greatly appreciated...

Answer 1

Decide why you're interested in farming. It's hard work, and the industry is, for the most part, steeped in tradition (i.e. newcomers aren't exactly welcomed with open arms). If you've never farmed a day in your life, you're going to get a lot of raised eyebrows from farmers and non-farmers alike. Be ready to answer the question "Why do you want to farm?" with confidence.

Choose what kind of farming you'd like to do. There are many sub-fields in agriculture such as:

dairy (milk and cheese)

meat (beef, pork, lamb, poultry, eggs)

vegetables & greens

fruit orchards

vineyards

herbs

organic

fiber (wool, angora, etc.)

Do you want to specialize in one of the above, or do a little bit of everything? The trend in agriculture is towards commercialization and specialization. Generally, the larger the farm, the less diversified it is.

Find farms that you like. There might be some in your area, there might not. Ask around. Search the Web, and find out about county fairs and visit them. It's there that you'll find serious farmers. Talk to them. Ask them what they do, how their farms have changed over time, what direction they think the field is going in, and if you could stop by their farm and visit some time. Farmers are generally friendly, humble, and welcoming people, though some are more guarded than others. Remember, Farmers are not your most liberal people. Keep your political views to yourself if you lean a little left.

Dress the part. This may sound superficial, but if you walked into a law firm interview dressed in a pair of jeans and boots, it's the same as walking onto a farm wearing a pair of dockers and loafers. If you're just starting out in farming, you're probably going to be doing a lot of physical labor. Wear a clean t-shirt, jeans, and work boots. Invest in a good pair of work gloves because your hands will be sore and full of blisters in a very short time. If you have long hair, tie it back (consider a braid) so it doesn't get caught in anything.

Education. Farmers of today are businessmen, they have to be to survive. Understand farm economics, farm politics and consider classes at college that teach agri-business. If you want to make it past the farm labor stage you must be informed on all aspects of farming.

Become an apprentice. Offer your services as a laborer. This is the most critical step in becoming a farmer—working in exchange for an opportunity to learn. Since you're just starting out, you'll be entering at the bottom of the totem pole (as is the case in most careers). If you want to earn respect, you must:

Be physically fit. If you think you can farm without crouching, bending, lifting, or pulling, you're being unrealistic. Only farm managers who've paid their dues can skip some physical labor, but even they often must push their bodies close to the limit for the job.

Be flexible. You must be willing to do anything and everything that needs to get done on a working farm. This may include: cleaning f***s and urine, climbing ladders, driving a tractor on steep hillsides (which is very dangerous), killing pests like rats and rabbits, handling unruly animals (that may want to bite or trample you), weeding or harvesting for 12 hours or more, applying pesticides, slaughtering, butchering, euthanizing, etc. Farming isn't just rainbows and butterflies, you know. If there's something you're not willing to do, state it up-front, and understand that your options may be limited as such.

Express your desire to learn. Watch people do what they do and ask them to teach you how. Whether it's fixing the tractor, or deciding on what to feed the cows, or understanding the plant cycle, you'll never become a farmer until you understand the hands-on "how" behind everything that makes a farm work.

Have a good sense of humor. Laughter makes the day go by faster, especially when your muscles are aching and you feel like your fingers are going to fall off and the weather has ruined your plans once again. A positive attitude is an asset to any farm.



Tips

You may need to relocate. Some regions of the country are more conducive to farming than others. Check what farms are producing in the area to which you want to relocate before deciding what to farm or finding the best area for what it is you wish to produce (this may be quite a move).

Don't shy away from mechanical tasks. Become as familiar as you can with farm machinery, how to use it safely, and how to maintain and fix it. Even the smallest farms usually depend on a rototiller or small tractor.

Knowledge of Spanish is a big plus when farming in the US.

The pay for farm laborers is often extremely low, or nothing. Many positions include housing, but usually only on a seasonal basis (i.e., during growing and harvest seasons but not during the winter).

Warnings

Farming can be extremely dangerous, especially when working with animals and machinery. Most employers do not offer health insurance to farm laborers, so make sure you know what your risks are, and be careful!

Many current farmers dislike newbies for a host of reasons - but mainly because you're new and they don't know you or what impact you'll have on their market share. It is best to not "rock the boat" too much during your first few years. Try not to bring too many changes or too many ideas to the table when discussing with locals how you're conducting your farming methods. This building of trust will aid you greatly when seed or harvest time comes and you need an extra piece of million-dollar equipment from your neighbor to help out.