Did you know that the majority of farm businesses tend to be small ventures? From a family farm to a newly launched business, small farms are growing in number and ambition. Ultimately, at their size, a business is up to 4 times more likely to grow successfully. However, growth comes at a price, and one that is difficult to pay for small farm owners.
Another surprising figure about small farms is their ultimate potential, not only for development but in the world. Small farms could single-handedly decrease world hunger by 17% if they had fair access to funding and support, according to the FAO report. Fairness is the word you want to focus on. Indeed, not every farm owner or worker is treated the same. In fact, gender inequality persists in the agriculture field even though women hold the majority of small farms. One could argue that gender disparities exist in most sectors. We need collectively as a society to improve.
Whether you are a woman or a man in agriculture, you can’t overturn gender unfair treatment from within. It is something that can only happen through time by bringing more and more support across from investors, cooperatives, workers, and customers. The only way to gain their trust is to meet their expectations when it comes to farming in the 21st century.
Embrace sustainability
The switch towards sustainability can be expensive, especially in an industry where maximizing organic assets is crucial to success. Yet, more and more customers want organic products grown without pesticides or any other harmful chemicals. Protecting your crops is no easy job, as sustainable solutions can be expensive. But, sustainability is a gradual process. You do not need to go from 0 to 100 overnight. Your audience is likely to notice positive steps in the right direction, such as increasing the lifetime of your bales with quality silage wrap that can keep them fresh for longer. By reducing waste, you reduce your environmental impact and your costs.
Improve your brand awareness and image
What is the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they hear you are a farmer?
Chances are they picture an old man in overalls. We owe it to popular culture to spread outdated images. The Old MacDonald’s farm nursery rhyme is still fresh in everybody’s memory. But it doesn’t provide a fair representation of the farming world. So, it’s time for small farms to showcase their workday and equipment using visual storytelling and social media content.
Seek support from the greater audience
Access to investment and funding is limited for all farmers. Women struggle a lot more to get credit on necessary purchases. But there is a game-changing investment partnership that can help transform the financial field. Crowdfunding can be a fantastic way to introduce your business model directly to the people who will consume your produce. You can share behind-the-scenes videos and pictures and explain to them how you plan to use the investment. When creditors are not on your side, the average Joe might be willing to help.
In conclusion, despite the growing role of small farms in the economy, they often struggle to position themselves against giants on the market. Gender inequality is a significant issue that prevents a lot of small players from growing. But addressing some of the other challenges faced by small farmers could help gradually reduce gender inequality and promote growth.
