The advantages of state farms

THE ADVANTAGES OF STATE FARMS

Definition

A state farm can be described as a farm that has been established by a government with all the necessary funding and input provided by the state. The sole aim of which is the production of crops and meat products for consumption and to feed the industries. Under President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, a lot of state farms were established but were abandoned after he was overthrown.  

Effective mobilization of resources

One of the advantages of state farm is that since it is under government control, it is easy to quickly secure the funds needed for the commencement or continuation, as the case may be, of the farm project. Also, these funds can be mobilized on a large scale.

Provision of funds

One of the advantages of state farm is that since it is under government control, it is easy to quickly secure the funds needed for the commencement or continuation, as the case may be, of the farm project. Also, these funds can be mobilized on a large scale.

Uniform structures

Another advantage of state farms is that the state provides a uniform structure for the projects. The farms are creations of the state and therefore controlled by the state. In putting in mechanisms to ensure that the state farms work, the government must of necessity role out and out the programmes across board. This is where the uniformity comes in.

Uniform standards

It is also an advantage for the state farms to have a uniform standard. Having established the state farms, the state expects the farm managers to aspire to a certain set standard in areas like preparation of land, planting, application of pesticides, harvesting and storage. This will definitely ensure maximum use of limited resources.

Attainment of  common good 
Under a state farm, the self is necessarily buried on order that the state can be projected. The farm focuses on the good of the society rather than the good of any individual. In other words, the project inures to the benefit of all and sundry and not just a few.

Projects a national vision

Another advantage is that the government is able to use the state farms to encourage the citizens to buy into the vision of the government. So, for example, the vision of former president Kwame Nkrumah’s government was to increase the production of crops for consumption and the feed the industry so the state farms were to lead the way.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. What are the advantages of a state farm?

2. Highlight six advantages of state farms.

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