Retainer Venture Question

[Alice_89th]

Like Amnesia mentioned you need to raise your gathering stat.
As gathering isn't a stat that you gain naturally you will have to equip your retainer with gear that has this attribute.

The requirements on lower exploration ventures are not that high, so most of the time you can easily get the amount of gathering needed by equipping your retainer with both a main and off-hand tool close to their level.

As for the level cap, like Parawill mentions you will need level your own botanist first.