Farming African Proverbs

If the day of harvesting or eating yams is the same as the day of planting yams, even goats will not be allowed to eat the yam peels. (English)

Nenye etedugbe enyetefagbe la anye gbowoha madu tetsro o. (Ewe language)

Ikiwa siku yakuvuna magimbi ingekua kama siku ya ku panda, basi hata mbuzi wasinge ruhusiwakula maganda. (Swahili)

Si le jour de récolte d’ignames serait comme le jour de sasemence, même les chèvres ne séraient pasautorisées à manger ses pelures. (French)

Farming African proverb explained

Due to changing conditions in many African societies from rural agrarian populations into blue-collar urbanites, this kind of proverb is well placed to educate people to be humble and not forget their humble backgrounds even when they become very successful people later on in life.

They should be kind to others who may not be fortunate enough to benefit from the joys of modern life. They should have open minds and open hearts in sharing and helping others in need. 

One billion people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger, which kills more people every year than Malaria, Ebola, Tuberculosis and AIDS combined.

What are agriculture and farming

Agriculture is divided into two different types; industrialized agriculture and subsistence agriculture. Subsistence agriculture occurs when farmers grow food crops to feed themselves and their families. In subsistence agriculture, farm output is targeted to survival and is mostly for local requirements with little or no surplus trade. 

Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. The impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment, public health, and rural communities make it an unsustainable way to grow our food over the long term.

Farming is divided into nine classifications according to what is grown and how it is grown.

Arable - Crops

Pastoral -  Animals

Mixed -  Crops and animals

Subsistence -  Grown just for the farmer and his family

Commercial -  Grown to sell

Intensive -  High inputs of labor or investment usually small

Extensive -  Low inputs of labor or capital

Sedentary -  Permanently in one place

Nomadic -  The farmers move around to find new areas to farm