For cultivators and small farms, there are certain agricultural risks that need to be addressed in order to stabilize income: human resources, legal, production, financial and marketing risks. Different strategies and tools can be utilized to counter each of these risks.
Human Resource Management Risks
Risks pertaining to human resources are linked with people and relationships. The relationship can be of any kind. It can include family members, farm employees, and consumers. The main sources of risks related to human resources comes up due to any reason such as a death, divorce, or disability. Any of these proceedings can have a devastating impact on the small farm and its cultivators. Other human resource risks can involve harmful influences rising from poor communication and employee management skills.
What strategies can be used to manage human resource risks?
1. Develop and implement good “people skills”, not just with your family members, but also with your employees2. Assess other sources of labor.
3. Deliver adequate training to your employees
4. Converse with your family members and employees
5. Identify and give incentives for good performance
6. Evaluate your powers of attorney, wills, and trusts
7. Consider life insurance and health needs
Legal Risks
Legal risks refer to accomplishing and achieving business contracts and agreements. If you are unable to meet these agreements, it will result in you paying a high cost for it. Another main foundation of legal risk relates to tort liability.
Furthermore, legal risks are also linked to environmental concerns and liability related to pesticide use, water quality, and erosion.
What strategies can be used to manage legal risks?
1. Evaluate insurance policies2. Carry adequate liability coverage
3. Select a different legal structure for your business. Sole proprietorship is not always considered the best
4. Comprehend business agreements and contracts. Wherever you feel the need, ask questions if unsure.
5. Make good interactions with your neighbors and speak their concerns
6. Utilize good agricultural methods to restrict environmental risks
7. Identify and follow all Federal and State regulations linked to your farming process
Production Risks
Production risk relate to the likelihood that your output levels or yields will be lesser than projected. The chief causes of production risks rise from hostile weather conditions such as excessive rainfall, drought, or freeze at the time of harvesting or planting.
What strategies can be used to manage production risks?
1. Track recommended production methods.2. Expand enterprise by planting different varieties of crops and entirely new crops
3. Increase production by implementing intensive growing practices
4. Buy crop insurance coverage so that you can stabilize your income at times of loss
Financial Risks
Financial risks refer to not having enough cash in order to fulfill the expected obligations. You may be generating lower profits than expected or you might be losing your equity invested in the farm. Foundations of financial risk normally come from marketing and production risks. That’s why bookkeeping is encouraged so that farmers can easily keep their tabs on their financial position.
What strategies can be used to manage financial risks?
1. Create a calculated business plan2. Keep tabs on your enterprise benchmarks and financial ratios
3. Regulate key farm expenditures
4. Follow a trend analysis so that you can assess changes in your farms owner’s equity and profits over time
Marketing Risks
Marketing risks are related to the likelihood that you might lose your market for your production items. It can also be that you receive the price for less than expected.
What strategies can be used to manage marketing risks?
1. Create a marketing plan that is realistic in terms of target prices and sales forecasts2. Make or be a part of a marketing cooperative so that you can enhance your prices and assure your market
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