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From a long line of farmers...this is just one of the first steps of industrialization. It took two generations to eradicate family farming in America (at least

by titzer 7y ago

From a long line of farmers...this is just one of the first steps of industrialization. It took two generations to eradicate family farming in America (at least where I am from), and it will happen faster for Africa. It's great that people have better and more effective local food production, but when the real economics kick in, and these people are competing with corporate farming, their way of life will change, sadly, for the worse, as it did in America. Enjoy the sense of freedom and pride now, and defend it as long as you can, because there are serious doubts as to whether this will be feasible in 50 years.

mmsimanga 7y ago
You hit the nail on the head! See my second paragraph in a sibling comment[0]. I will just expand on the point here. Investing in Africa is not for the faint of heart and your stand a good chance of losing your money. You also have to be prepared to pay some bribes to ensure that you can do business. This makes mining and oil about the only places external investors will invest in Africa. This is what has left a gap for the small farmer. We are small farmers because getting a loan isn't easy so we self fund. South Africa on the other hand, the country I work in is very different from other parts of Africa. There are large commercial farms which produce most of the food for the country. Suppliers are not interested in small scale farmers. Animal medicines only sold through vets or in quantities of 10 000. Suppliers of shade cloth and other farming materials largely ignore you when you want to buy a handful of stock. It is very different to my home country where everyone has a few animals and you can buy whatever you want in small quantities. South Africa represents what Africa will be in the next generation or two. I full agree with your comment and I would like to enjoy the small scale farming while it is possible. [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20080828 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20080828
majani 7y ago
I live in Kenya and this has already happened. The 'make farming cool' movement is very emotionally driven and ill advised. Small scale farming is just not sustainable any more.

by titzer 7y ago

mmsimanga 7y ago

You hit the nail on the head! See my second paragraph in a sibling comment[0]. I will just expand on the point here. Investing in Africa is not for the faint of heart and your stand a good chance of losing your money. You also have to be prepared to pay some bribes to ensure that you can do business. This makes mining and oil about the only places external investors will invest in Africa. This is what has left a gap for the small farmer. We are small farmers because getting a loan isn't easy so we self fund. South Africa on the other hand, the country I work in is very different from other parts of Africa. There are large commercial farms which produce most of the food for the country. Suppliers are not interested in small scale farmers. Animal medicines only sold through vets or in quantities of 10 000. Suppliers of shade cloth and other farming materials largely ignore you when you want to buy a handful of stock. It is very different to my home country where everyone has a few animals and you can buy whatever you want in small quantities. South Africa represents what Africa will be in the next generation or two. I full agree with your comment and I would like to enjoy the small scale farming while it is possible. [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20080828 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20080828

majani 7y ago

I live in Kenya and this has already happened. The 'make farming cool' movement is very emotionally driven and ill advised. Small scale farming is just not sustainable any more.