Startup Business Idea #11 Organic Farming – Build Your Healthy Route To Success
We are living in the 21st century and 2020 has brought about a brand new decade. With progressing times, there’s no doubt that the buying patterns and requirements of today’s consumers have changed considerably. One industry that has boomed among the young generation is organic food. Which has, in turn, resulted in the extreme popularity of organic farms.
The organic industry isn’t new and has been around for centuries. However, what was once a small, fringe industry of farms has not grown into a market force of influential multi-million and multi-billion dollar companies.
Taking inspiration from this huge industry, we will present another billion-dollar idea that is sure to be a resounding success due to the growth of the organic farm industries.
The Market Potential
The demand for organic foods began a couple of years ago when pesticide residue, which was harmful to the well-being of human beings, was found in the fruits and vegetables. Gradually, people quickly began understanding the benefits of consuming organic foods and the market started flourishing, from fruits and vegetables to food grains, pulses, tea, spices, and even oilseeds.
Speaking about the popularity of organic foods and farms, Dr Saurabh Arora, MD (Auriga research and Director at Arbro Pharmaceuticals) and Founder of Food Safety Helpline said, “Organic foods have gained popularity because people have become aware of their benefits. They contain no chemical pesticides and fertilizers and are grown naturally with manure or compost and only natural pesticides and insecticides are used.”
Basically, organic foods are either grown with the natural system of agriculture, essentially without the addition of any synthetic fertilizer or are products that have been processed and made from organically produced raw materials.
According to WHO, the total organic market industry around the globe is currently valued at a whopping $100 billion. Out of this, $14 billion is for herbal plants and medicines that are expected to reach $5 trillion by 2050.
In addition to this, the value of farmland has grown exponentially, especially in the past few years, as the prices have grown up to 287% over the past 5 years. In fact, the Internation Fund for Agriculture & Development (IFAD) reported that India has over 15,000 certified organic farms.
Hence, it goes without saying that the organic market industry is widely popular and is showing no signs of slowing down.
However, no process is full-proof and there are certain gaps in the industry that do result in challenges.
The Gap
Arguably, organic farms are the fastest growing sector in the entire food industry, especially since the demand has increased among consumers. With more and more costumers opting for organic diets, more farmers to are leaving conventional farming methods to learn more sustainable ones.
However, is it enough?
While the organic market in countries like the USA and Australia have grown leaps and bounds, Indian farmers are still not ready to take the leap to the next era. Due to this, most organic products are imported and consumers have to pay a hefty amount of money to get their daily dose of organic.
The primary reason for this is the lack of education and training available to farmers when it comes to organic farming. In order to effectively grow or process organic products, there are certain techniques, methods and equipment needed. Most Indian farmers don’t have sufficient knowledge to execute this.
There are multiple courses and studies that farmers need to undergo to effectively carry out organic planning, right from finding the perfect venue and high-quality seeds, to using proper tools while farming and storing the products. While these courses are surely beneficial, few to no farmers actually pursue these courses for effective use.
And, that’s the perfect gap that can lead to a billion-dollar business idea.
The Opportunity
To be a great leader, you don’t need to be an expert in every field. Instead, all you need to be a good problem-solver and a quick decision-maker. Hence, to start your own organic farm, you don’t need to actually be a farmer. All you need is a basic understanding of the market and the ability to solve problems with your keen sense of logic.
India is known as the land of agriculture and there are thousands of families who have been carrying out this profession for over centuries. Hence, there is no shortage of talent and resources who can get your farm thriving. All you need to do to get the ball rolling is provide some training and guidance.
The organic farm industry in India is not very competitive at the moment, despite there being such a huge demand for organic foods. Hence, the chance to be one of the major players in the market is now.
If you’re planning to start your own organic farm, here are some simple tips to keep in mind to ensure your business flourishes as well as your plants:
- Learn the basics of organic farming
- The location is essential
- Know your market
- Prepare the soil and make a good compost
- Seek a mentor and network with people
Basically, all you need to do is trust your instincts and create great organic products. Market them well, and there you have it; a thriving and successful business!
For more unique business ideas or tips and tricks on entrepreneurship, keep reading The Money Gig!
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