Every farm by its nature is identified by certain characteristics because it is these characteristics that enable the farmers and other visitors to know or have proper and adequate information of the farm.
The characteristics which of course provide the information about the farm help in the planning of the farm. The characteristics of the farm as well help in the kind of policy formation that should concern the farm and the farmer.
Characteristics of Farms
Farms are operated by the farmers with different motives in mind. It is the farmers motive that drives his/her sense of action and direction. By and large, every farm has same or similar characteristics. A Report on Farm Characteristics-STARS stated some of the notable broad characteristics include:
Goal orientation: every farm like earlier noted is operated or carried out for different purposes.
The purpose however constitutes the goal of the farm. The goals could vary from farm to farm. However, no matter what enterprise the engages in, be it crop and or livestock production, one of the most primary goal is profit generation.
On a large scale, that is, commercial farming goal is geared towards market production and profit whereas for the small-scale farmer, that is subsistence farming, the primary objective could be multi-dimensional and this may include provision of food for the household, selling of surplus to make money, accumulation of wealth and provision of building materials for building of huts (thatched houses). No matter how diverse this could be, it boils to money generation.
Boundaries: if not for anything but for the purpose of safety and security, every farm has boundaries which separate it from its immediate environment. Within this confine, the farmer or farm manager exercises his/her power and control of the resources of the farm.
It is assumed that all resources and processing units as well as accommodation unit in the farm area are seen as property of the farm. They are therefore seen as property of the farm and so are supposed to be within the farm manager’s control. The boundaries could be shown by fencing or survey plan or some natural objects.
Activities: every farm has different activity that goes on in it. The type of activities depends on the type and method of farming being undertaken by the farm or the farmers. This goes to say that activities of crop production differ from activities undertaken in livestock production.
The production process which involves conversion of resources to products as well differs. In the same manner, the processing of farm products into acceptable finished forms as well as the storage and marketing process activities also differs.
Most importantly, it is settled that activities take place in all farms and these activities differs from farm to farm.
In a more detailed form, some special farm characteristics that are worthy of note are;
Personal details of the farmer: In this particular case, the farmer’s details are taken and information required here his socio-economic characteristics which include his age, gender, age, educational level, marital status, etc.
Farm geographical location: The geographical location of the farm is taken and this is done with the use of appropriate survey instruments. It is ideal to take the coordinates of the corners of the farm. The farm needs to be mapped in order to show its boundaries, at least to avoid its encroachment.
Crop(s) cultivated: The crops that are cultivated in the farm needs to be recorded or noted.
The cropping system, whether mono-cropping or mixed cropping system, it needs to be recorded. Such recording will enable the farm to know what the output will likely be at the end of the farming season.
Read Also : Concepts, Definitions and Objectives of Farming Systems
Historical land use: this may not be too necessary, but where need be, the historical information of the farm needs to be taken. This will help to guide the farmer on how to manage his farm especially in terms of management.
Land tenure system: Land tenure system is the ownership and usage of land. It is important as a characteristic of the farm to know how the land was acquired. Such knowledge would enable him know which kind of farming system to practice, if to use it for annual crops or perennial crops and so on and so forth.
Land form / slope: This is another characteristics that needs to be observed or taken into account. This helps to farmer to know how to plan the farm’s use in line with where to place structures and where to farm his crops or establish his processing unit.
Ideally, level area is good or preferred for planting of crops, while structures could be constructed across slopes on sloppy or hilly areas.
Accessibility: Accessibility as a characteristics help to show the entering and exit points of the farm the farm. This shows the ease or difficulty with which the farm could be accessed. The easier the access of the farm, the better for the farm and the farmer.
Classification of Farming Systems
Adebowale (2018) identified classification of farming systems in developing countries to be based on the following criteria. These criteria are;
Available natural resources base: The available natural resources base include water, land, grazing area and forest. Other criteria under resource based consideration include climate, landscape (slope) farm size and organization; and
Dominant farm pattern of farm activities and household livelihoods: Dominant farm pattern of farm activities and household livelihoods may include field crops, livestock, trees, aquaculture, hunting and gathering, processing and off-farm activities, available farm technologies used(which affect production) and integration of crops, livestock and other activities.
Going further in a more specific and detailed form, farming system has been classified based on different considerations. They are;
Classification according to type of rotation: This kind of classification is carried out on the basis on how the different types of crops are rotated with each other. Deep rooted crops should be rotated with shallow rooted crops, how planted fields are rotated with fallowing fields, etc.
Classification according to intensity of rotation between cropping and fallow period: This has to do with the period a piece of land is allowed to grow crops and then allowed to fallow from a particular period of time before it is allowed to grow crops again.
Classification according to water supply: This classification of the farming system is based on the consideration of whether the farm is irrigated or rain-fed. Where the farm is irrigated, the type of irrigation is also taken into consideration. This is where a farm is classed as an irrigated farm or a non-irrigated farm.
Classification according to the cropping pattern and animal activities: This classification is most based on the leading crop and animal activities in the farm. Each activity is assumed to require different climate, soil, inputs, market, and so on. Hence, we may have mono-cropping or mixed cropping farm, ruminant or pig farm, dairy farm, etc.
Classification according to implements used for cultivation: This type of classification has to do with the type of implements used for cultivation of the soil. The implements may be simple farm tools like cutlass, hoe, spade, etc., or animal-drawn implements. Other implements may include the use of farm machines that has to do with the use of ploughs, harrows, combined planters and harvesters.
Read Also : How to treat Ruminant Animal Diseases
Classification according to degree of commercialization: The classification on this note is based on the destination of the farm output. On this consideration, farms are classified into three groups. The groups are:
Subsistence farming: this is a situation where the farmer produces with no intention of making sales to the public.
Partly commercialized farming: this consideration applies to those farmers that have more than 50% of the value of their produce for home consumption.
Commercialized farming: this is a type of farming system where more than 50% of the value of the farm produce is for sale.
In conclusion, every farm is identified by certain characteristics and the characteristics go a far way in providing the required information that is needed by the farmer and the type of policy that should be given consideration in line with production activities of the farm. However, three broad characteristics and several specific characteristics were treated or dealt in the session.
In addition, the modalities for classifying farms were also treated. Importantly, classification of farming system were generally based on available natural resources and dominating pattern of farm activities and household livelihoods.
The article unraveled the different characteristics of farming systems. The broad and the specific characteristics were studied and they form the basis for which the farm’s goals, activities and boundaries are made known. The basis for classification of farms was noted to be on criteria such as; type of rotation, intensity of rotation between cropping and fallow period, water supply etc.
Read Also: Methods of Disposal of Waste Pesticide Containers
