Farmer

Job overview
Farming in Zimbabwe covers most kinds of animals, crops, fruits and vegetables suitable for a moderate to subtropical climate.

Farmers are responsible mainly for the production and marketing of a country's food and fibre through crop- and livestock- farming.

What do people do in this occupation?
The nature of the work differs according to the type of farming.
With crop farming, soil preparation and fertilisation are very important.

The various crops are each grown according to a specific procedure and the activities of the grain, vegetable and fruit farmers will thus differ from each other.

All crops must be protected against diseases. ?When the crops are ready, they must be harvested and the products processed and marketed.

The most important responsibility on a livestock farm is taking care of animals.

Depending on the kind of animal, the correct breeding programme or in the case of poultry, an incubation programme as well as a feeding programme, must be followed.

In Zimbabwe with its dry climate, it is especially important that the pastures are planned and controlled in such a way that there will always be enough grazing for the animals.

The animals must be vaccinated against illnesses.

Products such as wool, meat and dairy products must be processed and marketed.

Farmers are also employers.

The number of labourers farmers employ is in direct relation to the size and profitability of their farms and the degree of mechanisation.

Farmers must be well informed on all legislation that regulates labour relations in agriculture.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Farmers should enjoy working outdoors.

Since the work may include hard manual labour, physical fitness and strength are important qualities.

To guide the farm workers good leadership qualities and interpersonal relationships are necessary.

Farmers work independently and should have a strong sense of responsibility and be willing to persist in spite of difficulties such as natural disasters.

What qualifications are needed?
There are no specific paper qualifications, although many modern farmers have acquired expertise through degree studies etc.

In Zimbabwe there are agricultural colleges for training farmers.