4.1 Cause and effect analysis
ICHIKAWA, or 8M, is a causal diagram permitting to show the
potential causes of a specific effect. This is the ishikawa diagram figure 8
applied in our case of study:
Figure 6 Cause and effect Analysis for the farm
To discuss each component of it separately. Starting with Man
framework:
Man: The unavailability of
trained or experienced labors during harvesting time can delay the cultivation
activities, which will directly affect the crop yield. So, the trained
workforce is of high importance to ensure a good application of the GAPs and
then a good performance.
Machine: it's paramount to
choose the right planting and harvesting equipment due to the varieties'
sensitivity to mechanical harvesting. Moreover, irrigation is crucial in most
of the regions concerned, the innovation artisanal pivot has a significant
effect on the water-saving and the use of regular quantity of water in the
correct moment avoiding the waste.
Material: the choice of adapted
varieties and good quality seeds, both resistant and healthy, is essential to
obtain a profitable crop and less susceptible to diseases and insects. Besides,
the plant's superficial root system requires appropriate fertilization to
accelerate its growth and shorten its development cycle. Moreover, the
application of pesticides in the correct time is of high importance to reduce
the spread of diseases and pests in the field.
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Medium: on the way to increase soil
fertility and avoid yield loss due to water quality, it's highly recommended to
introduce carefully fertilizers and change the plots.
Method: Great importance should
be attached to good choice of the plot, soil preparation, sowing, quantity of
planting and drip Irrigation to improve crop establishment and water use
efficiency. They reduce irrigation costs and increase the profitability of the
crop. To ensure a good yield, there is always recourse to crop rotation and
reduce growing crop in monoculture.
Financial means: such as own capital,
loans and agricultural insurance are of great importance for the availability
of cash at the beginning of the campaign. This can help the smallholder to
better invest and manage his expenses concerning the purchase of inputs,
fertilizers and the payment of labor. Having an account in the bank for
savings, allows the farmer to record the flow of money, the payment of certain
bills by checks and better management of his components.
Management: the lack of planning and
strategy setting prior to the campaign can cause several risks to the success
of the campaign or production. Therefore, joining a professional organization
to help farmers group to negotiate the prices of inputs and to sales group in
order to ensure a good selling price and facilitate market access. For the
quality of production, it is necessary to select the suppliers and buy only
fertilizers and certified seeds. In addition, making the right investment
decisions and considering the rate of return, payback time and their effect on
production and sustainability are crucial. In the current case, the investment
in the artisanal pivot can reduce the irrigation costs and make it more precise
and efficient. To finish this component, it's necessary to know the state
regulations to properly manage the harvest and the storage.
Market: More Market knowledge is
needed to derive maximum of benefit. The tubers could be stored until prices
improve and then sold when prices are high and not too many potatoes are
available in the market. Moreover, to ensure the best price for the potato, the
sell should be organized with a farmer group, which has contracts with potato
buyers in order to sell the production at a good price.
After the analysis of all the competences necessary for small
farmers, these skills can be classified in 3 groups: technical, managerial and
economic as shown in the following diagram, Moreover, some interdependence
between these skills can be deduced.
Improved
production
techniques
Economic Skills
Management
Agribusiess
Management Skills
improvements
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Land clearing and preparation;
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Disease and Pest Control
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Harvesting, Storage
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professional
agricultural
organization
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Investment decision
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Potato cropping
Calender
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Choosing the good plot
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Sourcing healthy
seed, resistent
varieties
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Harvest Potato
carefully
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Obtaining market
information and
planning sales
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Mini-pivot
Investment
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Sourcing of inputs,
Managing Money
Daily
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Planting in a circle,
knowledge the
growth cycle
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No Potato grown last year
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Separating damaged
and undamaged
tubers
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identify potato
buyers before
planting.
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Establishing
irrigation
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Short medium long term planning
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Dosage Planting
densities and
certified seeds
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Safe use of
Pesticides
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Good storage to
maintain good
quality
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prices, quality,
quantity
requirements
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efficient
irrigation, save
water
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record Money-in & Money out
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Properly Fertilizer
application
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Monitoring and
control
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Selling potato when price are high, group
sell
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saving money in
Bank
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Calculation of the
unit cost
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Crop rotation:
Potato with onion
and Peanut
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Financial
Management
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Figure 7 Classification of Agribusiness Management
Skills
Source: GIZ/ FBS Potato. 2020
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As shown in the diagram 7, improved production
techniques cover the right crop rotation (potato then groundnut, and
the following year onion) which not only reduces pest problems, diseases and
weeds, but also enriches the biodiversity and soil fertilely. Moreover, to
ensure a good yield, it's required to make a correct dosage between the
planting densities from certified seed and apply properly the fertilizers. With
this improved production, the farmer can greatly increase his production
yield.
For the second component, managerial skills,
a good adjustment of land resources and especially labor can reduce costs and
maximize profit. Moreover, the better planning of farming activities can also
save money to cover necessary expenses during the campaign and then avoid
expensive last-minute credits. These savings at the bank also allow the farmer
to apply for loans. Added to this, membership in the professional agricultural
organization allows the smallholders to obtain better prices from suppliers on
the sake of reducing costs, obtaining a better selling price and good quality
products. Hence, to succeed and finalize a medium-term investment like, in our
case the irrigation pivot, it's crucial to follow the financial recommendations
to plan it properly and decide whether it is an investment with savings or
project financing.
Concerning, the economic skills, the
calculation of production costs assist Smallholders to plan its expenses for
the next season for the purchase of fertilizers, seeds, payment of labor,
services etc. We noticed that there is interrelationship between the economic
and technical aspects of production. The calculation of the unit costs and
comparing it with the market price helps in the decision either to abandon or
to adapt better production techniques in order to make profits. By calculating
the gross margin and using the financial calendar, farmers can make an
effective decision on the profitability of a given investment and short,
medium- or long-term planning. Thus, we notice also an Interrelation between
economic skills and management improvement.
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