What if you spend your farming hours with your family members? Isn’t it a great idea?
Well, don’t worry! Your farming results will only increase & that’s my promise!
Did you know, almost 70% of global farmlands are family farms? And not just that; this farming practice yields 80% more global food products. Moreover, the number of family farms throughout the world will surely surprise you! There are approximately 500 million family farms in the world.
However, you can also earn great profits by farming with the joint efforts of your family members. Not only you will produce more crops & manage the lands efficiently, but you will also enjoy the farming journey!
To know more about the concept, characteristics, & benefits, check out this detailed guide to family farming.
What Is Family Farming All About?
It is an organized method of producing agricultural products & operating and managing forestry, aquaculture, fisheries, & pastoral farming.
Some of the popular business ideas for this include floriculture, horticulture, hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, mushroom farming, poultry & organic farming, etc.
However, before starting your farming journey, you should conduct proper research about the methods, buyers’ trends, & market demands. Once you purchase arable land & farming equipment, start cultivating diverse crops through sustainable methods that protect the environment.
The History Of Family Farming
Almost 84% of global family farms are even less than 2 hectares. However, the UN Decade of Family Farming reports have recognized its importance in ensuring food security.
But, how did the practice start?
The history dates back to the Neolithic era when the primitive people gave up their nomadic hunting practices & started farming. Also, the advent of mechanization, the Industrial Revolution & government public policies of 1960-70s shaped the concept of this farming technique.
Moreover, the 1990s-2000s Trade Liberation Policies paved the way for this farming approach & its effective methods for better farm production. Later, in 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared it the “International Year of Family Farming” & highlighted its benefits.
3 Basic Characteristics Of Family Farming
Family Labor
The success of this farming technique relies on the collaborative efforts of all your family members to a large extent.
Diverse Crops
The farmers cultivate multiple crops on the same land for better profitability. Also, the varied agricultural productions supply nutritious food to the local markets.
Local Market Demands
Family farmers can earn huge profits by selling their farmed items to the local regional markets.
4 Benefits of Family Farming
Employment Opportunities
This farming practice is a collaborative endeavor. So, the entire family will have opportunities to earn together.
Food Security
It makes sure that the local inhabitants have access to sufficient food.
Promotes Biodiversity
This farming method encourages the practice of sustainable cultivation that results in the preservation of natural resources. Also, it maintains a healthy biodiversity & ecosystems by making the environment suitable for various species.
Knowledge Transfer
It is an excellent way to transfer the knowledge of popular traditional farming methods to the next generations.
2 Challenges In Family Farming
Lack of Resources & Infrastructure
Family farms often do not have access to suitable land & water resources. Also, the farmers might lack farming assets such as seeds, the latest technologies, or a good transportation system.
Market Competition
Due to unfavorable policies & market price volatility might discourage the farmers to continue this farming technique. Also, the family farms need to produce quality crops in large- scale. Only this way, they can win the race against the commercial farming techniques such as intensive farming.
The Future of Family Farming & Economic Benefits
This farming technique is not just about producing food. It is more than that!
Did you know that family farmers also promote a healthy society by encouraging social interaction?
Also, when you work together, you manage the natural resources in a better way while strengthening the community bonds. Because “Unity is Strength”, isn’t it?
Are You Up For Family Farming?
This united farming approach is a great way to amplify your market profits by 2X!
And yes, not just for you, it will be beneficial for your local community members. On one hand, you will earn better revenues; on the other hand, you will supply the local markets with foods.
But are you concerned about farm & resource management?
Well, I have some good news for you!
You can take help of the latest agricultural technologies such as automated systems, software, GPS, aerial images, & signal processing, etc. All these can track livestock’s movements, crop health, humidity & moisture levels for streamlining your farm management systems & increase your productivity.
So, when are you planning to start your family farming journey? Comment down below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Farm automation systems such as autonomous tractors, sensors, drones, automated seeding & weeding systems, & GPS or AI-integrated technologies are the best. With all these, you can supply the required amount of farming resources & track the crops’ health for better yields.
Ans: Some of the modern farming technologies include bee vectoring, precision and livestock farming, indoor vertical, laser scarecrows, Real-Time Kinematic, & Minichromosomes.
Ans: Researchers aim to integrate Aritificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, & Data Science into farming technologies to optimize their production rate.
Ans: The technology increases crop production through the practices of precision farming. Moreover, this type of IoT sensors & data analytics help farmers optimize the usage of farming resources.
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