Kudakwashe Gwabanayi THERE has been debate in the farming community over whether a farmer should buy or hire equipment.
This debate requires a holistic approach.
Firstly, it is important to identify the equipment that is necessary to have at the farm and this includes a tractor, a plough, a reaper, a disc harrow, a planter, a vicon sprayer and a trailer.
Hire This is an option for those who do not have the financial muscle to buy equipment for farm operations.
The greatest limitation is that when you need to plough the field, the owner could be using the same tractor to do their own field. So in most cases those that hire tractors and equipment are forced to do it earlier than usual.
Then another issue is that if one does not have cash, he/she may be forced to skip some operations.
Most farmers who hire tractors only get the disc harrow; they do not use the plough that often.
The other disadvantage is that even if you are not happy with the way an operation has been done you cannot ask the operator to repeat it. They will charge you even if they are the ones who have not done a good job.
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The truth is that hiring equipment has more disadvantages than advantages.
The advantages are hugely financial: you do not get to service and maintain the equipment while at the same time you do not have operators to pay at the end of every month even if the machines are not working.
You do not have to worry about where to keep the equipment since they need proper shades as they may be stolen or rust away because of the sun and rains.
Buying
The greatest advantage of buying your own equipment is that you will be able to do anything at any time at your own pace.
This gives one an upper hand in that they can even cross-plough their fields to get their desired tilth.
The other advantage is that farm equipment improves one’s asset value at the farm. In case of liquidity challenges, equipment can be used as collateral to unlock funds
Equipment can also be hired out, creating another revenue point for the farm.
Resources permitting, one would rather buy their own tractor and its implements than to hire from other service providers.
The good thing about it is that it really does not matter how big your budget is, because even with US$3 500 you can get a tractor.
Though the average price for a medium-sized tractor is US$12 000, the low budget can get you one that you can repair as you go. Most farmers are going into farms looking for old tractors and then they rebuild them over time and do an engine overhaul and end up with a working horse.
A lot of these tractors are being sold in farming towns like Concession, Banket and Selous. among others.
There are also tractors and implements being sold at various auction points.
Farming with your implements is always more enjoyable and stress free as you can plan better.
- Gwabanayi is a practising journalist and a farmer in his own right. — 0772 865 703 or [email protected]
