[Beginners Guide] How to start Farming Business in Libya

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Agriculture is an important economic activity in Libya. It is considered the second most important enterprise in the country after crude oil exploration.

Agriculture has received great attention for many years now with current development on how to engage teeming youths to be involved in the venture.

Farming in Libya can be tasking compared to other countries because of the soil acidity. That is not to say the task is impossible because there are thousands of farmers enjoying the benefits of farming in the country.

If you are interested to start a farming business in Libya, you have to get a farm site, select the crop you want to start farming, clear farmland, make crop beds, and practice crop management among others.

we will be giving you a step by guide to that shortly.

How to start Farming Business in Libya Step By Step

Before we begin our discussion proper on how to start a farming business in Libya, you have to know the types of farming that are practiced in Libya.

There are two types of farming activities practised in Libya. Animal farming and plant farming. You have to consider which among the two enterprises you want to venture into or if you want to do both.

Animal Farming

Animal farming is very much practised in Libya even though there are few green locations in the country. The predominant animals raised in the country for agricultural activities are cattle, goats, sheep, burrows, camels, and other animals suitable for dryland farming.

Crop Farming

Crop farming in Libya is the planting of edible plants for food and manufacturing purposes. However, not all plants can grow in this region principally because of the high temperature in the region.

Now that you have an idea of the types of farming in the country, we will begin our discussion proper on how to start a farming business in Libya.

We implore you to read through from beginning to the end to be well informed.

Crop Farming

Step 1: Choose your Niche

Farming in Libya is broad with several areas to choose from. You must make proper research and findings on which aspect of farming you want to venture into before you begin.

It is best to choose a farming niche base on your passion, and the type of farming that is in line with your budget.

Step 2: Obtain a Farmland

Farming activities take place on the farmland. That is why you have to be on the search for suitable land to farm. This however can be tasking because a high percentage of land in Libya is not farmable.

Note that the type and size of farmland needed depends on the type of crop you want to plant and also the farming scale you intend to begin.

Step 3: Soil Preparation

Before you plant your crops, it impedes preparing the soil to make it fit for farming. The following activities are to be carried out are:

Land Clearing

You have to get rid of existing trees, shrubs, grass, and other unelated plants on the field to create enough area for the farming activities to take place. After that, you have to pack the rubbish to be burnt and or disposed of.

You can clear the land manually by having labourers do the job. Alternatively, you can make use of advanced farm machines which is the quickest method.

Ploughing

The land needs to be ploughed to loosen the soil and break the soil particles so that the soil nutrient is replenished and cleared plants residue can be turned below to break down.

You can make use of the conventional method of oxen or cattle to draw the ploughs or use the mechanized method.

Levelling

After plowing, you have to level the plowed farmland so that contours and unusual slopes on the land can be evened out to increase soil nutrients, even the distribution of nutrients, and improve farm produce yield.

Spray the Farmland

There is a need to spray the farmland with herbicides to avoid unwanted plants growing again, and or pesticides to drive away insects from the farmland.

Water the Farmland

As you know, most lands in Libya are arid, as such, there will be an excessive need for water on the farmland. Mind you, do not flood the farmland but provide a consistent adequate water supply to promote moisture.

That is why you have to water the land first before you begin to sow your crop seeds on the farmland.

Seed Bed Preparation

This is the stage where you make seed beds where the crop seeds will be planted. The type of heaps made depends on the crop you intend to plant.

Manuring

Because of the nature of the soil in Libya, it is best to put manure on the soil before planting likewise, the process will be implemented after planting. This activity will help enrich the soil.

Manure can be natural or chemical, both are preferable to help to provide soil nutrients, and replenish soil fertility.

Step 4: Selection of Seeds

Before you think of sowing, you must have obtained good quality crop seeds.

Step 5: Sowing

This is the stage where you plant your seeds on the seed bed. Planting can be done by pouring the seeds directly into the furrow made on the seed bed. It can also be done by transplanting sprouted plants into the seed bed.

Step 6: Mulching

Considering the high-temperature weather in Libya, mulching is a necessary activity to help the soil retain moisture and also protect the plant from exposure to excess sunlight.

Typical mulching practices in Libya are stubble mulching, organic mulching, and inorganic mulching. You can practice any of this depending on the type of crop you planted.

Step 7: Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer application is necessary to help the crops grow to maturity. Fertilizer application should be done at regular intervals.

Step 8: Irrigation

To successfully farm in Libya, it is important to make provision for irrigation to supply water to the farm. The type of irrigation that you can make use of on your farm depends on the system of farming you implement.

The source of irrigation water can be wells, ponds, lakes, canals, dams etc. in Libya the major source of water for irrigation purposes is an underground aquifer.

You need to be careful not to over-irrigate the farmland to avoid waterlogging and crop damage. Importantly, Irrigation is to be done at the interval and the process needs to be controlled.

Step 9: Weeding

Weeds known as unwanted plants grow alongside crop plants. They need to be removed using simple farm tools or bare hands. If it is a large farm, you can use They are removed by spraying chemicals to dry the weeds.

How to Start Animal Farming

To start animal farming in Libya, you have to follow the step-by-step guide below.

Step 1: Find a Land

Similar to the process in crop farming, you also need to find a good farm site where you can raise your farm animals for food and other purposes.

When selecting a farm site for animal farming, you have to consider the soil property, heat and wind level, access to water, as well as the intensity of pest and disease infestation.

Step 2: Prepare the Land

Having acquired a suitable farm site where you can raise your farm animals, you must prepare the land by removing unwanted plants and debris. Thereafter you have to clean the land and as well disinfect it against insect and protect it by fencing to prevent predators from entering.

Step 3: Build Animal House

Depending on the type of animal farming you intend to venture into, there are different types of animal houses that you can construct or buy in the market.

There are hutches, pens, stables, stack cages, and galvanized and or wired welded houses. You can make your choice from any of the mentioned animal houses to stock your animal breeds.

Step 4: Equip the Animal House

There are associated items you need to further purchase and place in the animal house. These are utility equipment such as feeding pans, watering cans, light bulbs to provide heat, cleaning tools, and many more as warranted.

Step 5: Choose your Animal Breed

There are different types of animal farming you can venture into and this forms the basis of your decision on which animal breed you want to buy. If you are certain about which animal breed to buy, then you should visit a certified breeder or government-owned agricultural agency to purchase the animal breed.

Step 6: Get Animal Feed

Animal feeds are part of the things to be purchased. The feed should contain rich organic particles mixed to form a rich feed. You can prepare the feed yourself or purchase an already prepared animal feed from the marketplace.

Step 7: Stock Your Animal on the farm

The animal breeds should be stocked in the farmhouse on the farm site. Spacing should be observed so that the animals will not be overcrowded.

Step 8: Animal Care

Routine daily feeding at intervals, insect and disease control, and regular farmhouse cleaning should be carried out to help maintain the health and hygiene of the farm animals to promote steady growth and reduce casualty or death of any animal.

Step 9: Animal Treatment

At the different growth stages, there is a specific treatment that should be administered to the animals. Ensure you visit a veterinarian for professional advice.

What Crops Grow in Libya?

Because of the extremely high temperature in Libya, not every plant can grow in the area. The crops that mostly grow in the country are wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans, grains, potatoes, nuts, grapes, corn, sorghum, and oats.

Is There Farming in Libya?

Farming takes place in Libya. It is the second major economic activity in the country. Although the enterprise faces a lot of challenges due to extreme temperature and limited arable and livestock grazing areas.

What do they Farm in Libya?

Farming in Libya consists of both crop planting and animal husbandry. The major crops grown in the country are wheat and cereals, fruits and vegetables; likewise, the major animal husbandry is cattle, camel, sheep, and goat.

Conclusion

From our discussion above, I believe you have learnt something new or added to your existing knowledge on how to start a farming business in Libya. The venture can be tasking due to weather conditions and limited farm areas as well as access to water but, you can still begin the enterprise following the guidelines provided in this informative piece.

https://people.umass.edu/psoil370/Syllabus-files/Dryland_Farming__Crops_&_Tech_for_Arid_Regions.pdf

[Beginners Guide] How to start Farming Business in Libya