Farming is not as easy as some people think. You must equip yourself with the right knowledge to get maximum crop yield. Not having access to farming knowledge will only make farming difficult for you.
Are you growing your first crop and don’t know how to grow it properly? If your answer is “Yes,” then keep reading this blog to find eleven actionable tips on how you can increase your crop yield easily.
1. Develop an actionable plan
Proper planning is something you cannot ignore as a farmer. To keep your crop growing properly and achieve maximum yield, you should have a plan for everything from planting seeds to harvesting your crop.
For example, you should have a plan to prevent bird damage to seeds so the seeds can germinate properly.
Creating an actionable plan is not as difficult as you might think. Start by listing the different stages of your crop. You can then write down detailed steps on how you will take care of your crop. Getting help from a crop expert helps you create a flawless plan easily.
2. Focus on networking
Remember that farming is a “team activity.” You cannot achieve the best results as a farmer if you are unwilling to work with other people. So, before you start planting seeds in your field, you should try connecting with people who can help you manage your crop.
Linking up with other farmers is not as difficult as you might think. You can join groups made for local farmers online and find farmers who grow crops regularly.
3. Make use of tech tools
Tech has made growing crops a lot easier in this digital age. For example, you don’t have to rely on pen and paper for your record-keeping needs. Learning how to use tech tools can help you record different stages of your crop’s growth and use that data to improve the yield of your crops.
By using tech tools, you can:
• Scout your crop fields
• Check weather updates
• Communicate with team members
• Record valuable data
• Get rid of pests
The good thing about tech tools is that they are easy to use. Make sure you check the tech tools farmers use in your area so you can improve the yield of your crops.
4. Choose the best farming land
Good farming land directly influences the yield of your crops. No matter how many strategies you adopt to increase crop yield, if you don’t choose the right land, you won’t be able to achieve your crop yield goals.
Choosing the right land for farming is not as easy as you might think. You will have to explore the agricultural land in your area and find the best farmland that can give you maximum crop yield.
Make sure you check what crops were cultivated on farming land and how well those crops perform. Investigate the soil properties of the farming land and check if it’s adequate for crops. You should also get help from a farming expert to examine the topology of the farming land.
5. Prepare the soil
The soil in your farming land also impacts the growth of the plants. Improper soil doesn’t allow plants to have longer roots, which results in the stunted growth of plants. Farming soil lacking nutrients can also lower the yield of your crops.
Therefore, it is important to check the soil’s quality before planting the seeds. Doing so will ensure that plants can grow properly and you can achieve your crop yield goals.
6. Stay updated about the weather
Improper weather conditions can limit your crop’s yield. No matter how much time, money, and effort you put into growing your crop, if the weather isn’t good, you won’t be able to get your desired results.
Make sure you stay updated about the weather conditions. You can check online portals to predict weather conditions and ensure that they’re feasible for your crop.
Satellite weather monitoring is a better option for you as a farmer. Using satellite imaging, you can use desktop software to check more details about weather conditions in your area.
7. Keep pests and weeds away
Getting rid of pests and weeds can be the most difficult task for you as a farmer. Pests make their way to your plants and destroy them in no time. Weeds can grow in your field if you are not careful and steal nutrients from your plants.
Pest and weed management requires you to take proper steps. Using chemicals and proper equipment can create an actionable plan to fight off pests and weeds.
Using improper chemicals to remove pests and weeds can even damage your crop. Make sure you use certified chemicals, so your plants stay safe.
8. Understand your target audience
Remember that you have to grow crops in high demand to stay profitable as a farmer. No matter how excited you are about growing a crop, if there are no customers for that crop, you won’t be able to make good profits.
Check what crops are cultivated regularly in your area. Exploring the crops grown by other farmers will help you identify the crops you can sell easily in your area. Make sure you create a customer management strategy to learn how you can interact properly with your customers.
9. Choose proper fertilizers
Fertilizers keep your plants nourished so you can get amazing crop yields. Over time, nutrients can decrease, and adding fertilizers is the only way to replenish the nutrients. The good thing about fertilizers is that they are easy to administer in fields.
Choosing fertilizers for your field is a difficult task, but you can make it easier if you find the right information. Make sure you check the specific requirements of your crop and choose fertilizers properly. You can also ask a local crop expert to help you choose the best fertilizers for your crop.
10. Learn about crop rotation
Growing the same crop on agricultural land can lower crop yield and decrease soil quality. To keep your agricultural land in the best shape, you should rotate crops over time. Rotating crops will ensure that soil stays fertile and allows you to get maximum yield.
Crop rotation is not as difficult as you might think. You can ask local farmers to learn what crops are good for crop rotation in your area. Make sure you focus on crop rotation as it can keep the soil rich and help you learn how you can grow different crops.
11. Buy the best farming equipment
Farming is a difficult task that can get easier if you use the right tools. Having access to farming tools allows you to save your time, money, and effort when growing a crop. Make sure you check different farming tools and pick the ones that can help you as a farmer.