NEW COURSE COLLABORATION WITH media general (pty) ltd FOCUS: agribusiness management, farming as a family business

Course Purpose:

• Provides a good introduction to the subject with quick practical steps the farmer can use to start the process.
• Creates good foundation as a stepping stone to higher levels of the programme with longer duration.

​Course Outcomes:

To equip farmers with:

1. Introductions to and highlights what farming as a family business can look like.
2. Entrepreneurial skills to successfully operate small-scale farm businesses.
3. Skills for maintaining relevant records and managing finances.
4. Basic Marketing skills to identify and develop profitable agricultural markets.

Course Duration:

• One day - 8 am to 5 pm

Course Trainer:
Lead Consultant Mr Anthony Mompati Mokobi  has over 20 years working with micro and small enterprises. 
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Course Methodology:

• Course notes provided.
• Trainer will guide participants through the notes.
• Self-reading is expected.​
• Discussions, case study analysis, role plays, personal and group exercises.
• Q & A sessions.

Course Fee:​  P600 per participant.  Includes tea-break and brunch.

Course Outline:​

Module 1:  INTRODUCTION

Objectives
By the end of this module, participants are expected to:

• Understand the business concept.
• Understand the farmer as an entrepreneur.
• Distinguish between subsistence and commercial farming practices.
• Identify opportunities and challenges associated with family farm businesses.
• Understand critical success factors in family farm businesses.
• Understand the importance of involving the whole family in decision making for effective resource allocation and utilization in a family farm business.
• Be able to apply business principles in family decision-making processes.​

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Module Outline:
1. Introduction
1.1 What Is A Business
1.2 Key Principles Of Businesses
1.3 The Farmer As An Entrepreneur
1.4 From Subsistence To Commercial Farming
1.5 Why Practise Farming As A Family Business?
1.6 Decision Making At A Family Level
1.6.1 What Decisions Are To Be Made?
1.7 Issues Of Governance In Family Farm Businesses/ Succession
1.8 Conflict Resolution In Family Businesses
1.9 Summary Of Key Issues
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Module 2:  RISK MANAGEMENT IN FARMING BUSINESS
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Objectives:
By the end of this module, participants are expected to:

• Be able to explain the concept of risk in the business of farming.
• Understand the different risks that farmers face in the business of farming.
• Describe and explain some strategies to manage risk at the farm level.
• Understand the involvement of the whole family in managing farm risk.

Module Outline:
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2.1 The Concept Of Uncertainty
2.2 The Concept Of Risk
2.3 Risks Associated With Farming Businesses
2.4 Risk Management Measure At Farm Level
2.5 Family Involvement In Managing Farming Risk
2.6 CASE STUDY—Family Involvement In Managing Risk
2.7 Summary Of Key Issues

Module 3:  PLANNING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY
 
Objectives
 
By the end of this module, participants are expected to:
 

• Appreciate the importance of planning for a family farm business.
• Appreciate the essential elements of the planning process.
• Understand the importance of a family approach to farm business planning.
• Understand the essentials of farm analysis and farm planning processes.
• Be able to carry out the strategic planning process for the family farm business.

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​​Module Outline:
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1. WHY PLAN?
2. Case Study—Family Farm Business Planning
3. Strategic Planning Farm
4. Guidelines For Successful Planning
5. The Planning Process
6. What To Plan
7. Summary Of Key Issues​

Module 4:  FARM BUSINESS RECORD KEEPING
 
Objectives
 
By the end of this module, participants are expected to:

• Understand the importance of record keeping in a family farm business.

• Understand the common types of records required in a family farm business.
• Appreciate the dangers of not keeping records for a family farm business.
• Appreciate some tips for improving record keeping for a family farm business.
• Make decisions based on records.
• Demonstrate competence in design and use of appropriate farm records. 

Introduction

1. Why Should Records Be Kept In A Farm Business?
2. General Principles For Record Keeping
3. Classification Of Records
4. Livestock Records
5. Cropping Records
6. Examples Of Farm Records
7. Income And Expense Record
8. Farm Sales Record Book
9. Summary Of Key Issues

Module 5:  MARKETING OF FARMING PRODUCTS
 
Objectives
 
By the end of this module, participants are expected to:

•  Understand the concept of marketing.
•  Understand the importance of marketing in family farm businesses.
•  Understand characteristics of farm products.
•  Evaluate different target markets and marketing channels for farm products.
•  Make informed marketing decisions. 

Introduction

1. Understanding The Marketing Concept
2. Marketing Decision Making In The Family Business
3. The Nature Of Agricultural Products
4. Identification Of Buyers And Marketing Channels
5. Role Of Marketing Institutions

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