Farm Management Tips: Guard against livestock theft
Dec 20, 2010
AS the festive season gets underway, farmers need to be more vigilant as farm thefts are on the increase. Prime targets include livestock such as cattle; goats and chicken. The thieves are assured of a ready market in urban areas, as people begin shopping for Christmas. Easy to harvest crops like b
AS the festive season gets underway, farmers need to be more vigilant as farm thefts are on the increase. Prime targets include livestock such as cattle; goats and chicken. The thieves are assured of a ready market in urban areas, as people begin shopping for Christmas. Easy to harvest crops like bananas, coffee, cassava, and maize are also being targeted.
Particularly vulnerable are the so called telephone farmers; who do not stay permanently on their farms, but manage them via phone. Thieves take advantage of the farmer’s absence and, sometimes with the help of the workers, to steal the animals or crops. There have been many cases of thieves driving to a farm to load cattle or chicken in broad daylight. Since some of the farms are isolated, the thieves can carry out their mission without fear of getting caught. Even where there are neighbours, sometimes they assume the thieves are customers who have been sent by the owner.
Last Christmas season a rancher in Gomba lost seven cows to thieves.
With each cow valued at about
sh600, 000, the farmer lost about sh4m to the thieves. Thieves are particularly active during the last two days before Christmas, because they know most farmers are already in the celebration mood.
Below are some tips on how to guard your farm through the festive season.
In cattle keeping areas, local leaders can mobilise residents to carry out night patrols together with the Police and other security groups.
Hire private guards to beef up security on your farm. Just the knowledge that there is an armed guard on the farm is enough to discourage most petty thieves.
If possible, sell off any excess stock as large number of animals in one place will always be a prime attraction to thieves. You can always restock in future.
Invest in a fence. This point cannot be over emphasised. A strong fence is a big asset on a farm, as it helps keep the animals in while keeping out thieves and other undesirable elements.
It also protects your crops from stray animals, and saves you from disputes with your neighbours over trespassing.
Do not allow your animals to graze far away from home. If they have to, then there should be someone to keep an eye on them all the time.
In case your farm workers drink, try to come up with an arrangement, where they can enjoy their drink without compromising the farm’s security.
Compiled by Joshua Kato
Particularly vulnerable are the so called telephone farmers; who do not stay permanently on their farms, but manage them via phone. Thieves take advantage of the farmer’s absence and, sometimes with the help of the workers, to steal the animals or crops. There have been many cases of thieves driving to a farm to load cattle or chicken in broad daylight. Since some of the farms are isolated, the thieves can carry out their mission without fear of getting caught. Even where there are neighbours, sometimes they assume the thieves are customers who have been sent by the owner.
Last Christmas season a rancher in Gomba lost seven cows to thieves.
With each cow valued at about
sh600, 000, the farmer lost about sh4m to the thieves. Thieves are particularly active during the last two days before Christmas, because they know most farmers are already in the celebration mood.
Below are some tips on how to guard your farm through the festive season.
In cattle keeping areas, local leaders can mobilise residents to carry out night patrols together with the Police and other security groups.
Hire private guards to beef up security on your farm. Just the knowledge that there is an armed guard on the farm is enough to discourage most petty thieves.
If possible, sell off any excess stock as large number of animals in one place will always be a prime attraction to thieves. You can always restock in future.
Invest in a fence. This point cannot be over emphasised. A strong fence is a big asset on a farm, as it helps keep the animals in while keeping out thieves and other undesirable elements.
It also protects your crops from stray animals, and saves you from disputes with your neighbours over trespassing.
Do not allow your animals to graze far away from home. If they have to, then there should be someone to keep an eye on them all the time.
In case your farm workers drink, try to come up with an arrangement, where they can enjoy their drink without compromising the farm’s security.
Compiled by Joshua Kato