By Umar Nsubuga
Phoebe Kagambe, a commercial farmer in Rwentale-Kamata village, Kigoyera Parish, Kyarusozi sub-county Kyenjojo district gives tips.
“It’s important to hire a farm manager who is trained in agriculture, and when you get him or her it’s also good to take through trainings,” she advises.
Referral
Talk to fellow farmers and in the process, you can recruit good workers. Good workers can be referred to you. Don’t poach workers from other farms because this can cause disharmony among farmers.
Training workers
As a commercial farmer and owner, it’s important to share the farm vision with workers. This regularly briefs them on the objectives of the farm and how they fit in. This makes them human workers, rather than robots since they work with a clear vision.
Writing agreements and clear scope of work.
When an employee is hired, he/she should sign an agreement with the owners of the farm. This reduces cases of unfulfilled tasks since each worker knows what they are supposed to do.
Knowing the workers
When you employ someone from other regions, it’s important to learn a few things about the culture and behaviour of that person to manage the person.
Understanding the behaviours of the workers
Farm owners should know that each person has weaknesses and strengths, so try to build on this to make your workers effective.
Refer to people by name, not position
When you call your worker by name, he/she knows that you care about him/her and this improves confidence and boosts morale.
-Build a conducive environment, this includes housing, kitchen and sanitation facilities.
-Accept and value feedback from your workers, as long as it is geared towards building the farm.
-Try to listen, and accept mistakes, but also encourage openness among your workers.
-Handle worker’s grievances through a constructive disciplinary process and never show sides in case of any altercation among your workers.
