Poster 1 - M0

Module 0 Introduction to the Farmer Business School - What is it about? What are the advantages?

M1 Is farming a business?

M2 Know the units to know the assets

M3 Manage your farm for enough food

M4 Money-In/Money-Out:

Know whether you do good business

M5 Impact of YIELD on

profit – a tool for doing good business

M6 Seize opportunities to diversify your farm enterprises

M7 Manage your money

throughout the year

M8 How to get good financial services

M9 How to produce and gain

income from good quality cotton

M10 Benefits of

membership in a farmer organization

M11 Becoming an entrepreneur in practice

The skills learned at the Farmer Business School help the farmers to become better entrepreneurs who:

- Take advantage of improved technologies and market opportunities to increase income

- Plan and adapt their production to assure food security for their family

- Lead professional negotiations with buyers, input suppliers and credit institutions

- Manage financial means and credit

B a n k

Poster 2 - M1.1

Module 1 Is farming a business?

What examples of businesses do you know?

Examples of businesses

Start and end of activities Money-out Money-In

Construction business

One can start when one has a contract with a client

One must respect the conditions of the client

One construction site follows the next

For the machines, the materials and the employees

When the construction is completed

Commerce One can start and stop commerce at any time.

To buy merchandise and to pay employees

All year long

Processing of agricultural products

maize, processed cassava, local beer

One can start the processing at any time if one has the equipment and primary materials

One stops the processing when the primary material is no longer available.

To buy raw material, equipment and employees

All year long as long as you have raw material

Agriculture

My farm is my business

One needs to start the agricultural work at the beginning of the season

One cannot stop the field work before the harvest (or the use of the seedlings)

For tools, equipment, inputs, services (tractor) and hired labour force

After harvest at moment of sales

What do you need and use to produce (collect examples)?

Inputs Tools and equipment Labour Money Land

Seeds

Insecticide

Fungicide

Machete, hoe, sprayer, drying bay

Family work force

Paid workers

Own money

Credit

Own Land

Rented

Main Lessons:

Poster 3 - M1.2

Module 1 Is farming a business?

What does one need to know about the market if one wants to do good business?

The market for agricultural produce The market for inputs and equipment

The location of the market

Who needs the product and wants to buy it?

The quality of product that is demanded by the market

The price of the product compared to other markets

The locations of sale

Who sells the inputs and equipment?

The quality of the inputs and equipment

The price of sale of the inputs and equipment.

How does the price of agricultural products change?

The price of agriculture products change according to the season of the year

At times of abundance the prices are lowest.

At times of scarcity (during the dry season for example) the prices are highest.

The price of agriculture products change between years.

The price of a product that is needed by more and more people will rise from one year to the next.

The price a product that is produced in greater abundance will fall from one year to the next.

Main Lesson

To do successful business, the agricultural entrepreneur (man or woman) …..

Poster 4 - M1.3

Module 1 Agricultural Calendar to plan the production of cotton

The times of work… put an X to show the month when you do the task

The tasks of the entrepreneur

Jan

uary

Feb

ruary

Marc

h

Ap

ril

May

Ju

ne

Ju

ly

Au

gu

st

Sep

t.

Octo

ber

No

v.

Dec.

Early and proper land preparation

(CA, crop rotation)

Manure, fertilizer, lime application (soil fertility)

Early and proper planting

Correct plant population (thinning and gap filling)

Timely and regular weeding

Scouting, threshold spraying

Safe handling of agro-chemicals

Harvesting

Marketing

Planning and record keeping

Main Lesson :

A good agricultural entrepreneur (man or woman):

Poster 5 - M2.1

Module 2 How to use a calculator

What is a Calculator?

A calculator is a tool you can use to do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

To put on the calculator

Press the ON/AC

To clear a wrong number

Press C – CE

To start a new calculation

Press the ON/AC to clear

Addition (plus)

Example:

5 + 9 = 14 Type

Example:

10 + 20 = 30 Type

Subtraction (take away)

Example:

9 - 4 = 5

Type

Example:

100 - 20 = 80

Type

Poster 6 - M2.2

Module 2 How to use a calculator

Subtraction (take away)

Example: 20 - 29 = - 9

Type

If you take away a bigger number from a smaller number, the calculator will give you a take away number as in this example. You will know that by the small dash “-“ in front of the answer.

Example: - 20 - 29 = - 49

Type

Multiplication (times)

Example: 25 x 12 = 300

Type

Example: 22 x 27 = 594

Type

Division (divide)

Example: 26 / 2 = 13

Type

Example: 123 / 3 = 41

Type

Poster 7 - M2.3

Module 2 Know the units to know your assets

Measure and calculate the surface of a field

Group Method Length Width Surface Size Difference/ Measuring tape Rank

1 Estimation by steps

Measuring tape

in meters

1 Estimation by steps

Cord with knots

Main Lessons

= 9,600 m² = 0.96 ha

The size or surface area of a field is measured in meters squared or hectares.

1 hectare (ha) is 10,000 meters squared (m2).

Poster 8 - M2.4

Module 2 Standard Measures and Units

Distance Kilometre (km) : 1 km is 1,000 metres (m)

Length or width of a field Meter (m): 1 m is 100 centimetres (cm)

Surface Area Meter squared (m2)

Hectare (ha) : 1 ha is 10,000 m2

1 Acre : 4000 m2 (e.g. 50 m x 80 m, or 40 m x 100 m)

1 Lima: 2,500 m2 (e.g. 50 m x 50 m)

1 Hectare : 2.5 acres

Yield per Unit Area Yield per hectare : Yield per acre

e.g. 400kg seed cotton /ha: 160kg seed cotton /acre

Volume Litres (L)

Weight Grams (g)

Kilograms (kg) : 1 kg is 1,000 g

Ton (T) : 1 Ton is 1,000 kg

Time Minutes (min)

Hour (h)= 1 hour has 60 minutes

Day (D) = 1 day has 24 hours

Agricultural work Man-days (MD): The work of an adult man in one day.

Example: Work on one hectare requires 10 Man-days. (10 MD / ha). The work can be done by 1 man in 10 days or 10 men in 1 day.

It is important to specify the number of hours in a work day.

Main Lessons

Units and measures are important for the agricultural entrepreneur (man or woman). They are necessary …

Measures and units are essential to do good business in agriculture

Poster 9 - M3.1

Module 3 Manage your farm for enough food

These products give us energy and physical strength to work and to grow

These products give us physical strength and mental force

Maize

Rice

Beans

Poultry

Millet

Cassava

Groundnut

Meat

Sorghum

Sweet potato

Eggs

Fish

Oils give us energy and make the meals tasty

Fruits give us energy (sugar) and health

Vegetables give us health and make the meals tasty

Clean drinking water gives us health

Source: adapted from FAO 2004. Family Nutrition Guide

Poster 10 - M3.2

Module 3 How much energy and protein do we need per day?

Pregnant woman

Breastfeeding woman

Children 0 to 6 months

Children 7 to 11 months

Children 1 to 3 years

Energy

Kcal/day 2,690 2,860 524 708 1,022

Protein

Grams/day 47 60 12 14 14

Breast feeding

Breastfeeding

plus 2 to 3 meals per day

Breastfeeding plus 3 to 4 meals per day

Children 4 to 6 years

Children 7 to 9 years

Girls 10 to 17

years

Boys 10 to 17 years

Energy

Kcal/day 1,350 1,700 2,330 2,830

Protein

Grams/day 22 25 43 48

Men 18 to 59

years

Women 18 to 59 years

Men 60 years

and more

Women 60 years and more

Energy

Kcal/day 3,100 2,410 2,500 2,410

Protein 50 41 50 41

Grams/day

Poster 11 - M3.3

Module 3 Food products & their content in energy, protein & fat

Food Energy

kcal per kg

Fat

Grams per kg

Protein

Grams per kg

Maize

3530 38 93

Sorghum

3450 30 100

Rice

3610 10 65

Cassava

1490 2 12

Sweet Potato

1050 17 3

Beans

3330 8 226

Groundnut

5670 450 258

Soybeans

4160 200 365

Eggs

1580 112 120

Meat

1610 79 195

Adapted from FAO 2004: Family Nutrition Guide

Explanation:

The kilocalorie (Kcal or 1000 calories) is a measure for the energy of a food. The number of kilocalories of one kg of a given food shows you whether the food is rich or poor in energy.

Main lessons

Poster 12 - M3.4

Module 3 Food products & their content in energy, protein & fat

Mark a square if the product is sold

Mark a circle if the product is eaten

Mark a triangle in the months you need to buy the product

Indicate by a line _____ how long the product is available from own production

What are the months of high prices and the months of low prices for a food item?

Sell

Eat

Jan

uary

Feb

.

Marc

h

Ap

ril

May

Ju

ne

Ju

ly

Au

gu

st

Sep

t.

Octo

ber

No

v.

Dec.

Cotton

Fresh cassava

Rice

Sorghum

Millet

Maize

Beans

Poster 13 - M3.5

Module 3 Nutritional calendar: How do you cover the food needs of your family? (Continued)

Mark a square if the product is sold

Mark a circle if the product is eaten

Mark a triangle in the months you need to buy the product

Indicate by a line _____ how long the product is available from own production

What are the months of high prices and the months of low prices for a food item?

Sell

Eat

Jan

uary

Feb

.

Marc

h

Ap

ril

May

Ju

ne

Ju

ly

Au

gu

st

Sep

t.

Octo

ber

No

v.

Dec.

Groundnut

Meat

Fish

Fruits

Vegetables

Poster 14 - M3.6

Module 3 How to have more and better food

Use improved varieties for improved yields

Integrated soil fertility management

Associate crops

Mulching to conserve soil moisture

Use proper facilities to reduce losses in storage

Improve financial management

Raise Animals Diversify Cropping

Other possibilities

- Produce early maturing and drought tolerant crops;

- Use water harvesting techniques to conserve water and for small-scale irrigation

- Some families might have the opportunity to establish fish ponds

Source: Based on FAO 2004. Family Nutrition Guide

Poster 15 - M4.1/5.1

Module 4/5 Impact of Improved Practices

Exercise Sheet 1 - Maize

Unit

Maize Current (1 ha) Maize Improved (1ha)

Quantity Price (ZMW)

Total

(ZMW) Quantity

Price (ZMW)

Total

(ZMW)

1. Money in

Production Sales price Kg 1000 1.3 1,300 3000 1.3 3,900

2. Money out – Inputs and Services

Land preparation – tractor or oxen

Ha 1 250 250 1 250 250

Seed OPV/Hybrid

20 Kg 1 180 180 1 320 320

Herbicide-Glyphosate

Litre 3 40 120

Herbicides - Dual

Litre 2 50 100

Fertilizer NPK

50kg bag

1 205 205 4 205 820

Fertilizer Urea

50kg bag

1 215 215 4 215 860

Pesticides (Actellic Super)

500 gram

4 30 120

Bags

50kg bag

20 2 40 60 2 120

Transport field to house

Load 2 15 30 6 15 90

Transport to market

Trip 20 5 100 60 5 300

Total Cost Inputs and Services ZMW 1,020 ZMW 3,100

3. Money out - Labour

Land preparation MD 1 10 10 1 10 10

Planting

MD 4 10 40 4 10 40

Herbicide application

MD 1 10 10

Fertilizer application

MD 4 10 40 4 10 40

Weeding

MD 12 10 120 6 10 60

Harvesting, stooking,

de-husking MD 15 10 150 20 10 200

Shelling, bagging MD 4 10 40 12 10 120

Total labour needs MD 40 ZMW 400 48 ZMW 480

4. Total Money Out ZMW 1,420 ZMW 3,580

5. Profit or Loss? Money in MINUS Money Out (Gross Margin)

ZMW -120 ZMW 320

6. Unit Cost (Total Money Out/Production) ZMW 1.42 ZMW 1.19

Poster 16 - M4.2/5.2

Module 4/5 Impact of Improved Practices

Exercise Sheet 2 - Cotton

Unit

Cotton Current (1 ha) Cotton Improved (1ha)

Quantity Price (ZMW)

Total

(ZMW) Quantity

Price (ZMW)

Total

(ZMW)

1. Money in

Production Sales price Kg 600 1.725 1,035 1800 1.725 3,105

2. Money out – Inputs and Services

Land preparation -

tractor /oxen Ha 1 250 250 1 250 250

Seed

15 Kg

1 45 45 1 45 45

Herbicides –

Nova Quizalofob Litre 2 50 100

Herbicides –

Glyphosate Litre 3 40 120

Fertilizer NPK

50kg bag

2 205 410

Input pack -

pesticides/foliar feed Pack 1 115 115 1 115 115

Transport field to house

Load 1 15 15 3 15 45

Cost of Inputs and Services ZMW 425 ZMW 1,085

3. Money out - Labour

Supervision of land preparation

MD 1 10 10 1 10 10

Planting

MD 4 10 40 4 10 40

Herbicide application

MD 2 10 20

Thinning

Gap filling MD 2 10 20 2 10 20

Fertilizer application

MD 2 10 20

Weeding 1+2+3+4

MD 31 10 310 7 10 70

Pest scouting

MD 3 10 30

Pesticide application

Knapsack / Ulva+ MD 10 10 100 1 10 10

Picking and baling

MD 15 10 150 45 10 450

Destruction of stalks

MD 2 10 20 2 10 20

Total labour needs MD 65 ZMW 650 69 ZMW 690

4. Total Money Out ZMW 1,075 ZMW 1,775

5. Profit or Loss? Money in MINUS Money Out (Gross Margin)

ZMW -40 ZMW 1,330

6. Unit Cost (Total Money Out/Production) ZMW 1.79 ZMW 0.99

Poster 17 - M4.3/5.3

Module 4/5 Impact of Improved Practices

Exercise Sheet 3 – Soya

Unit

Soya beans Current (1 ha) Soya beans Improved (1ha)

Quantity Price (ZMW)

Total

(ZMW) Quantity

Price (ZMW)

Total

(ZMW)

1. Money in

Production Sales price Kg 800 2.5 2,000 2000 2.5 5,000

2. Money out – Inputs and Services

Land preparation -

tractor or oxen Ha 1 250 250 1 250 250

Lime 50 Kg

4 35 140

Seed + inoculum

25 Kg

4 235 940 4 235 940

Herbicides –

Classic

Sachet

10 1 10

Herbicides – Glyphosate

Litre 3 40 120

Herbicides –

Nova Quizalofob Litre 2 50 100

Fertiliser NPK 50kg bag

2 205 410

Bags

50kg bag

16 2 32 40 2 80

Transport field to house

Load 1 15 15 3 15 45

Transport to market by truck Fee/bag

16 5 80 40 5 200

Cost of Inputs and Services ZMW 1,317 ZMW 2,295

3. Money Out - Labour

Supervision of land preparation

MD 1 10 10 1 10 10

Lime application MD 1 10 10

Planting MD 4 10 40 4 10 40

Herbicide application

MD 1 10 10

Fertilizer application

MD 2 10 20

Weeding

MD 12 10 120 2 10 20

Harvesting and bagging

MD 12 10 120 30 10 300

Total labour needs MD 29 ZMW 290 41 ZMW 410

4. Total Money Out ZMW 1,607 ZMW 2,705

5. Profit or Loss? Money in MINUS Money Out (Gross Margin)

ZMW 393 ZMW 2,295

6. Unit Cost (Total Money Out/Production) ZMW 2.01 ZMW 1.35

Poster 18 - M4.4

Module 4 Comparing Results (Non-Improved)

Please tell what is good and what bad business is and give reasons

Unit 1 ha of Maize 1 ha Cotton 1 ha Soya

Production Kg/ha 1,000 600 800

Money In ZMW/ha 1,300 1,035 2,000

Money Out ZMW/ha 1,420 1,075 1,607

Profit or Loss? ZMW/ha -120 -40 393

Unit Cost ZMW/kg 1.42 1.79 2.01

Ranking 3 2 1

Main Lessons

Poster 19 - M6

Module 6 Diversify your farm enterprise for more income

WITHOUT RISK

Unit

Maize Current

Maize Improved

Cotton current

Cotton improved

Soya bean current

Soya bean improved

Surface Area Ha 1 1 1 1 1 1

Production Kg 1,000 3,000 600 1,800 800 2,000

1. Money-in ZMK 1,300 3,900 1,035 3,105 2,000 5,000

2. Money-Out ZMK 1,420 3,580 1,075 1,775 1,607 2,705

3. Profit or Loss?

(Gross Margin)

without risk

ZMK -120 320 -40 1,330 393 2,295

Rank (Profit) 6 4 5 2 3 1

WITH RISK

Unit

Maize Current

Maize Improved

Cotton current

Cotton improved

Soya bean current

Soya bean improved

Production Kg 1,000 3,000 600 1,800 800 2,000

1. Money-in ZMK 1,300 3,900 1,035 3,105 2,000 5,000

2. Money-Out ZMK 1,420 3,580 1,075 1,775 1,607 2,705

3. Profit or Loss?

(Gross Margin)

without risk

ZMK -120 320 -40 1,330 393 2,295

Rank (Profit) 6 4 5 2 3 1

Main Lessons

Poster 20 - M7.1

Module 7 Exercise – Money needs of the household

Money needs of the household

Can be foreseen?

Period - month

Money-out per period (ZMW)

Money-out for one year (ZMW)

Matches Yes Each month

Salt Yes Each month

Soap Yes Each month

Paraffin Yes Each month

Purchase food Yes Each month

Subtotal

School uniforms for 2 children

Yes September

Clothing at end of the year

Yes December

Happy events Yes December

Unexpected events Yes Anytime

Annual money needs for household

Poster 21 - M7.2

Poster 21 - M7.2

Module 7 – Exercise Financial Calendar for a farm using current practices (ZMW) – 3 ha field

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Money Out Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total

Maize (1 ha)

Inputs and services

Labour

Cotton (1 ha)

Inputs and services

Labour

Soybean (1 ha)

Inputs and services

Labour

TOTAL expenditures for production (3x1): 3 ha

Household

School uniform

Clothing

Happy events

Unexpected events

Household expenditures per month

TOTAL expenditures per month

Money in

Maize (1 ha)

Cotton (1 ha)

Soybean (1 ha)

TOTAL income from production (3x1): 3 ha

Other income

TOTAL income from production and other sources

Balance (Money in - Money out)

Cumulative Balance (Money in – Money out)

Poster 22 - M7.3

Module 7 – Exercise Financial Calendar for a farm using improved practices (ZMW) – 3 ha field

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Money Out Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total

Maize (1 ha)

Inputs and services

Labour

Cotton (1 ha)

Inputs and services

Labour

Soybean (1 ha)

Inputs and services

Labour

TOTAL expenditures for production (3x1): 3 ha

Household

School uniform

Clothing

Happy events

Unexpected events

Household expenditures per month

TOTAL expenditures per month

Money in

Maize (1 ha)

Cotton (1 ha)

Soybean (1 ha)

TOTAL income from production (3x1): 3 ha

Other income

TOTAL income from production and other sources

Balance (Money in - Money out)

Cumulative Balance (Money in – Money out)

Poster 23 - M7.4

Module 7 Manage your money throughout the year

Comparing Results

With current production techniques

With improved production techniques

Can be foreseen?

Period-month Per year (ZMW) Per year (ZMW)

Money-Out for the household Yes each month 2,652 2,652

Money-Out for production Yes different months

4,102 8,060

Money-Out for household and production

Yes different months

6,754 10,712

Money-In from production Yes, but can change

different months

4,335 12,005

Additional money available for next season, other expenditure and savings (ZMW)

Money-In from Production

minus Money-Out for Household and Production

-2,419 1,293

Difference between the two situations ZMW 3,712

Main Lessons

Poster 24 - M8

Module 8 How to get good financial services - Savings

Why is it important to create savings?

How can you create savings? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Hide money at home Bring money to a (rural) bank

Advantage 1. The money is immediately available

1. The money is safe at the bank

2. Having savings at the bank facilitates a loan from the bank

3. Saving at the bank reduces the risk of spending money impulsively because it is not immediately available

Disadvantage 1. Money is not safe and can be stolen

2. Money can be destroyed (by a fire, for example).

3. There is increased risk of making impulsive expenditures

1. The money is not immediately available

Paying money into your bank account Removing money from your bank account

Go to the bank or village financial institution Think why you need money, and how much

Go to the bank or the village financial institution

Fill out the deposit form Fill out the money withdrawal form

Your deposit is registered in your savings booklet

Your withdrawal amount is registered in your savings booklet

With savings you can invest in your enterprise and thereby make greater revenue. For example, by buying fertilizer or improved seeds.

If you save on a bank account, your money is safe.

With savings you protect your money against inflation (inflation is when the cost of living increases).

Savings on an account are often necessary to obtain a loan.

Poster 25 – M9

Module 9 How to produce and gain income from good quality cotton The example given is for two categories/grades applied to the quality of seed cotton, “A” and “B”.

Quality of the cotton

Description Causes

Grade “A” White cotton, without foreign matter, dry, uniform, without spots, shiny

Respect of good agricultural practices, proper pest control, well and early harvested, properly dried, cotton well stored in appropriate conditions

Grade “B” Discolored cotton, stained and non-white, contains traces of foreign matter (boll husks, leaves, etc.)

Humid cotton may need to be dried prior to purchase.

Good agricultural practices not respected, neglected pest control, harvested in rush, stripped, harvested when wet and not properly dried, cotton stored in inappropriate conditions

Why all this? Who can change this?

Not all recommended practices are applied to ensure good quality cotton

The entrepreneur (man or woman)!

Exercise – Calculation of income benefits from good quality cotton (1 ha)

Cotton (1 ha)

Unit

Current agricultural practices

Good agricultural practices

Grade B

Grade

A

Grade

B

Grade

A

Production Kg/ha 600 600 1,800 1,800

Selling price ZMW/kg 1.725 1.825 1.725 1.825

Money In ZMW 1,035 1,095 3,105 3,285

Money Out ZMW 1,075 1,075 1,775 1,775

Profit or loss? (Money In minus Money Out) ZMW/ha - 40 20 1,330 1,510

Profit difference between bad and good

quality cotton 60

180

Poster 26 - M10

Module 10 Benefits from membership of farmer organizations

Exercise Sheet 1 – Profit of Group Sales

Maize improved

Cotton improved

Soya Beans improved

Unit Individual Sale

Group Sale

Individual Sale

Group Sale

Individual Sale

Group Sale

Surface Area Ha 1 1 1 1 1 1

1. Money-out

(Inputs and Services) ZMW 2,800 2,800 1,085 1,085 2,115 2,115

Production Kg 3,000 3,000 1,800 1,800 1,500 1,500

Price ZMW/kg 1.1 1.2 1.725 1.825 2.2 2.3

2. Money-in

Production ZMW 3,300 3,600 3,105 3,285 3,300 3,450

3. Profit of group sales

ZMW 0 300 0 180 0 150

Total profit of group sales ZMW 630

Exercise Sheet 2 – Profit of Group Purchase of Inputs

Maize improved

Cotton improved

Soya beans improved

Unit

Individual input purchase

Group input purchase

(less 10%)

Individual input purchase

Group input purchase

(less 10%)

Individual input purchase

Group input purchase

(less 10%)

Surface Area Ha 1 1 1 1 1 1

Cost of Inputs (i.e. without services)

ZMW 2,460 2, 196 790 711 1,670 1,503

Profit of group purchase

ZMW 264 79 167

Total profit of group purchase of inputs ZMW 630