Bayer partners with emerging farmers to ensure increased profitability

Success is attained by people who work together. The English poet, John Donne, once famously said that no man is an island. People need each other in order to survive. It is not different with farmers. Successful farmers did not start out on a commercial scale. Through years of hard work, dedication and gaining expertise, their farms grew from small enterprises to the commercial operations they are today. Apart from the financial resources that farmers need to take their farms to the next level, they also need the knowledge to operate a commercial farm. Bayer realised that emerging farmers need knowledge and skills to help them succeed. Farmers and the companies that supply to them need to form symbiotic partnerships to develop the farmer’s full potential, secure future food production and stimulate the economy. That is why Bayer launched the Weekend Farmer concept in Zambia in September this year. The aims of the project are to capture emerging farmers' attention and to help them realise their full potential. According to Emmanuel Banda, Brand and Customer Activation Specialist for Bayer in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Weekend Farmer concept will provide emerging farmers with tailored solutions that can ensure profitability and sustainability. This will enable emerging farmers to generate employment within their communities and strengthen the regional economy. Emerging farmers are an extremely important and fast-growing segment in the agricultural industry of Southern Africa. Bayer encouraged other industry specialists to join the project. “This is an ideal opportunity for collaboration between major agricultural companies to invest in their future clients,” says Emmanuel.

Correct advice

It is important that the information shared with the farmers is accurate and relevant to that specific farmer’s needs. That is why Bayer will look at specific value chains in order to bring the correct companies and farmers together, and to provide quality information and training. In doing so, Bayer will be able to provide the emerging farmer with the correct advice across his specific value chain. Bayer will provide the correct advice on the choice of seed and crop protection products, while other collaborators will provide information on soil testing, mechanisation, and marketing of the end product. This will empower the farmer to set up a sustainable and profitable business strategy that can help him to transform from an emerging farmer to a commercial farming business. All that farmers have to do to benefit from Bayer’s Weekend Farmer project, is to simply phone the project manager, Henry Mutelo. He is highly qualified and will be able to provide expert advice on the farmer’s needs. The farmer will engage with Bayer’s qualified and skilled expertise on the day to day management issues concerning his farm production activities. Bayer will provide the necessary technical information to help support your farm and can also help you

by Jaco Cilliers

Bayer’s resident expert, Henry Mutelo, will assist you with your farm management queries. He is just a phone call away.

manage the financial aspect of your farm production by providing the best farming solutions to suit your needs. Bayer will give guidance and follow-up support to make your farming investment grow.

For more information on how you can benefit, call Henry Mutelo on +26-096-759-6475 or send an e-mail to Henry.mutelo@bayer. com, or contact Emmanuel Banda on +26-096-360-4694 or send an e-mail to emmanuel.banda@

bayer.com.