According to Kalungi Charles, proper rearing, feeding and right nutrition application rates are of the utmost importance if you want to have optimum yield and get good returns.
How can a farmer increase his profit margin from cattle?
To increase profitability, you (a farmer) need to become creative in your branding and marketing techniques. Charles explains, “If your farm is a certified livestock farm, it produces highly desirable cattle in your district, capitalize on that.”
In November last year, Charles made about Shs4M from his cattle sells which was far from Shs1M that he’s been reaping in previous years. What brought the difference? he explains:
Bringing the cattle to buyers: Because of the good quality, he gave an excellent reputation. This earned him the attention of local leaders and traders. He says, “Awareness is vital. The friendship I created with the locals has enabled me recover the capital.”
Be innovative: Offer farm tours and training programs to local farmers in your region. Consider selling the young calves as specialty fuel for mothers in the village
Grow the best breed: He advises other farmers to take all steps possible to create the most productive cattle possible to maximize profitability.
What challenges do most farmers face in your area?
- Market
Most farmers lack bargaining power in seasons of bumper harvest which makes it easier for the middlemen to polarize the market and get the cattle at very low prices.
- Diseases
Diseases especially foot and mouth has been the most prevalent in our area and majority of farmers have completely lost their yields especially in areas of Jinja, Wakiso, and Kampala districts because of this disease.
His advice:
Farmers should form cooperatives in their societies since it can be easier for them to get enough capital from financial institutions and do value addition.
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