Question

Topic: Strategy

Organic Farming

Posted by Anonymous on 6/1/2010 at 2:55 AM ET 125 Points
I am from South Africa, staying in an agricultural community. Some friends and myself started a earthworm project which I believe is the answer to organic fertilizer for the crop-farmers in our area. We use the earth worm excrement (manure/droppings?) as fertilizer which is excellent. Some of the farmers already used it with expectional results, but most of the rest use chemical feritilizer. They used it for years and know what to expect. Because farming is so expensive in South Africa the farmers are sceptical to change from chemical to organic fertilizer. Although the organic fertilizer took longer to "kick in" than the chemical product it is almost half the price and it rectify the soil and bring back all the positive insects which will help the farmer. I want to change these farmer's minds. Do you have any fresh ideas how to market this product.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 6/1/2010 at 8:42 AM Member
    You're enriching the soil today, and for future generations. You're also doing this locally (better for local economy), rather than paying a non-locally owned corporation for their chemicals.
  • Posted on 6/3/2010 at 2:30 AM Author
    Sharkwriter and PhilGrisolia, you kicked my thinking department into action. I have started with the local branch of the, what we called, Organized Agri (a union for farmers in South Africa) and they help me with the names and adresses of the influential farmers in the district. A contact in the Landbank (a commercial bank who focuses on the farmers) also helped me with new contats in the wider area around our district. So this is a very helpful start.
    These farmers think big. To give them a sample in a box won't help much. They need something like a ton of fertilizer per hectare at a cost of R2500 per ton. Maybe I can give them 5 of 10kg and motivate them to use it on the garden oor vegetable garden. That can probably convince them.
    I don't have a wedsite. In SA the older people (my market) leaves the computor stuff to the younger generation. Only joking! You gave me a good idea to start with a wedsite for a backup plan.
    I have talked to some people in the agricultural bussiness and they have one thing in common. Don't talk to farmers in a group. Take them one at a time. So it seems I will have to go and see all these contacts personally. But to see somebody once won't help much. I must have follow up ideas. Phil has a good slogan to use. But it seems that I'll have to get more places to put that slogan on.
    It is difficult to change a farmer's mind. You'll have to do it over and over. And it is this over and over ideas that don't always have.
    Thanks for your help.
    Koos
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