AdewebsCabo Verde has a land that is tropical and therefore temperate. It is ideal for farming because it has strong rains, warm temperatures, fertile soil, and low temperatures.
It is also the country of farmers with a rich history of production who have been producing food and raising livestock for generations.
In recent years, the West African country has become one of the largest exporters of farm produce due to extreme agricultural activities.
You can use a variety of methods to start your own farming business in Cabo Verde, including farming niche selection, farmland acquisition, developing the necessary skills, developing a business plan, farmland preparation, heap preparation, planting, and so on.
To get all the necessary information, you should try reading through from beginning to end.
How To Start Farming In Cabo Verde Step By Step Guide
To start farming activities in Cabo Verde, the following steps below will guide you through the entire process.
Step 1: Select your Area of Farming Interest
Agriculture is divided into two main branches, crop farming, and animal farming. you must choose the area of farming interest that best describes your farm and the type of products you want to sell.
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Animal Farming
Animal farming is the raising of animals to use them to provide raw materials, meat, milk, or other agricultural products. Sometimes, animals raised in this way may be called livestock.
Plant Farming
Plant farming is the practice of growing edible plants for consumption. Plant farming can be carried out in large land areas, greenhouses, and hydroponics usually to harvest their produce.
With plant farms, anyone can grow their food, even if they have little experience with traditional gardening.
Step 2: Farmland Acquisition
You need to acquire farmland either by buying or renting the land so that you can grow crops or raise livestock. Acquiring farmland is not difficult and you can do it easily. First, do some research on the land available in or around your location.
Then you need to consider factors such as soil properties, weather conditions, and accessibility to market and clean water, among several other conditions before you finally choose particular farmland.
Step 3: Develop the Necessary Skills
If you have no knowledge and skill about farming, you should try and locate an expert farmer in your chosen niche to help you out. Ensure you ask a lot of questions as possible to get sufficient information.
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Also, take advantage of the internet by visiting agricultural sites, watching YouTube videos, and other websites in line with farming. Don’t forget to read books as well.
Step 4: Develop a Business Plan
The purpose of this business plan for farming activities is to obtain funding and financial support for the farm. Also, it will help you to understand how to develop your farm efficiently.
A well-prepared business plan will describe the various activities that are required to be carried out at each stage of the business while providing details as to why they are needed, as well as what kind of resources or human inputs are required.
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The plan also highlights how you will use financial resources (e.g., capital investments and debt) in a balanced way depending on the farm’s finances
Step 5: Farmland Preparation
If you successfully acquire farmland that suits the type of farming you want to embark on, the next action is to prepare the land carefully.
To find out the method of preparing farmland for farming purposes, some steps need to be followed.
Farmland Clearing
Farmland clearing is an activity that involves the efficient removal of weeds, debris, brush, and grasses with simple farm tools or mechanized tools leaving behind only the bare soil necessary for planting.
This activity is important because it helps reduce erosion, improve water drainage, and control weeds.
Plowing
Plowing is a complex of activities that includes the preparation for planting, cultivating, and harvesting. The process involves tilling the soil to make it ready for sowing.
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Plowing can be done traditionally or use of modern farm equipment such as a tractor to turn over the soil to move it up and down in one direction or turning it sideways, throwing it up.
Farmland Leveling
Farmland leveling is an intensive farm preparation. The process is suitable for all soil types and topography classes. Farmland leveling activity is essential to help prepare the field for seeding and improve the drainage capabilities by leveling out the soil.
The main job of a leveling product is to provide a fine grade of aggregate needed for precise seed placement.
Spray Herbicides and Pesticide
It is necessary to spray the farmland with herbicides and pesticides before you begin planting. This activity should be done weeks before heaping activities begin.
The essence is to stop weeds from growing sporadically and at the same time keep insects and pests away from the farmland.
Step 6: Heap Preparation
Seedbed preparation is the act of preparing the land to plant crops. To prepare a seedbed, the soil is tilled and then allowed to settle until it is compacted sufficiently for safe planting.
However, heaping is optional, although compulsory for most types of crops, there are plants that don’t require seedbeds to be made.
Step 7: Planting
Seed planting is a critical farming activity, and can greatly improve yield, quality, and standability. Planting is the process in which seeds are planted in the prepared seed bed.
There are different methods that you can use to plant your seeds, but the three most commonly used ones are direct seed planting, transplanting, and grafting.
To ensure your seed germinates properly, it is best to wet the soil so that it remains moist, but not too wet.
Also, the optimal time to plant into the field is dependent on many different variables such as weather conditions and seeding rate.
Step 8: Irrigation and Mulching
Irrigation and mulching are the keys to a healthy, productive farm. The right tools and practices help you have healthy crops and a better water balance on your farm.
Most farmers around the world are familiar with traditional methods of watering plants typically using hose and sprinklers, but many are unaware of the benefits of irrigation.
Irrigation is a critical mechanism for growing crops and maintaining good soil conditions. It is also an important tool for controlling weeds, pests, and diseases.
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Mulching is the practice of spreading chopped leaves, grass clippings, or other plant material on a field to improve soil structure and control weeds.
Also, it helps retain moisture, reduces weeds, and helps prevent pests and diseases. Mulching also helps conserve soil moisture
Step 9: Pest and Weed Control
Pests are organisms that cause harm to plants, and animals as well. Some of the most common pests include harmful insects, weeds, and rodents.
The methods of controlling pests and diseases on the farmland are very important to maintain the productivity and product quality of the farming.
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There are many ways you can employ to control pests and diseases on your farm. The methods include the use of intercropping, crop rotations, pesticides, traps, and restrictions on animal movement.
On the other hand, you need to practice weeding after planting crops. It is important to make sure weeds don’t take root and grow out of control on the farmland. To remove weeds and non-crop plants from your farm, you have to apply herbicide, which is a chemical that kills weeds, or by plowing them under the soil.
Step 10: Fertilizer Application
Fertilizer application gives the best results in the farming field by improving the nutrient status of plants. You must apply the fertilizer according to plant needs, stage of growth, and season.
Getting into the right application is important because it can improve productivity on your farm and help you control pests and weeds.
Challenges Of Farming In Cabo Verde
Farming in Cabo Verde is the backbone of their economy. However, farming in the country is not without challenges despite several initiatives to promote improved agricultural methods and systems, there is limited improvement in productivity.
Some of the challenges confronting farming activities in Cabo Verde are:
- Climate change and land rights issues.
- Access to arable land with proper drainage systems and suitable drainage management.
- The majority of farmers in the country practice subsistence farming and prefer to keep their farm produce to themselves and family.
- Land rights issues
- The poor practice of mechanized farming
Main Crop Grows In Cabo Verde
Agriculture is highly practiced in Carbo Verde and it is one of the major economic activities in the country. The main crop grown in Cabo Verde is maize, beans, bananas, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, and cassava.
What Are The Natural Resources Of Cape Verde?
Cabo Verde’s natural resources are but are not limited to natural resources including beautiful beaches, water resources, arable land, wind energy, basalt, limestone, pozzolana, kaolin, and gypsum among others.
What Is The Main Industry Of Cabo Verde?
Cabo Verde has a diverse economy. The country’s major industries are service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and agriculture.
What Is Cabo Verde Known For?
Aside from the fact that Cabo Verde is famously known as an island country, it is also popular for its warm tropical climate, volcanic islands, wonderful musicians, and delicious cuisine making the country one of the top tourist attractions in Africa.
Conclusion
Farming plays an integral role in Cabo Verde and it is a profitable venture considering the high exportation of farm produce in the country. I am sure you will be able to practice farming in this country by following the tips outlined and discussed in this material. You must follow the guideline thoroughly to achieve the best result.
