FUNCTIONS OF A FARM MANAGER

The functions of a farm manager can be grouped into five major headings: 

1. Organisation.
2. Administration.
3. Production.
4. Marketing.
5. Evaluation.

Organisation

This involves planning and structuring all farm activities and resources to ensure smooth operations.

1. The farm manager secures suitable land for farming.
2. He determines what to produce.
3. He determines the scale of production.
4. He procures a loan or capital for farming.
5. Recruits or employs labour or workers for the farm.
6. He decides on which enterprise(s) to undertake, given the available resources, e.g. fish farming, rice production, etc.

Administration

This deals with the day-to-day running of the farm’s records, finances, and compliance.

1. A farm manager supervises the work on the farm.
2. He arranges work roasters.
3. He directs staff on day-to-day activities.
4. He arranges staff welfare.
5. He rewards or disciplines staff according to their performance.
6. He organises the training of manpower on the farm.
7. He maintains good labour relations to avoid the disruption of farm activities.
8. He acquaints himself with government agricultural policies with respect to the opportunities and constraints they pose on the farm.

Production

This is the core function, where the manager oversees actual agricultural production.

1. A farm manager is responsible for the purchase and use of farm inputs.
2. He ensures the health of animals/crops on the farm.
3. He arranges the general security of the farm.
4. He ensures an adequate supply of feed.
5. He adheres to modern farming techniques.
6. He avoids waste by the efficient use and maintenance of farm resources.
7. He combines resources to yield optimum profit.
8. He sets production targets and wage level.

Marketing

The farm manager is also responsible for how farm products reach the market and generate income.

1. The farm manager determines the quantity of produce to sell.
2. He determines the best marketing channel to use to make maximum profits.
3. He determines when to sell to make maximum profit.
4. He determines at what price to sell.
5. He may also be responsible for the processing of farm produce.
6. He monitors marketing trends in order to decide on commodities to produce on his farm.
7. He arranges for the storage and warehousing of unsold produce.

Evaluation

This involves assessing the farm’s overall performance and making improvements.

1. He keeps the general records of the farm.
2. He supervises accounts and bookkeeping of all operations on the farm.
3. He analyses farm operations concerning targets and objectives.
4. He assesses the staffing conditions.
5. He develops new strategies for further improvement of farm operations.

 

Question:

1. State five functions of a farm manager.

2. Explain the following.

a. Organisation.

b. Administration,

 

See also

MANAGEMENT OR ENTREPRENEUR

CAPITAL

LABOUR

FACTORS OF PRODUCTION

CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS