Farming is a popular type of business in rural areas. Nowadays there are farms in many localities. But the demand in the country for their products has not yet been satisfied. So a farm from scratch is still a promising business idea on which you can make good money. But on one condition - that the farming business will be well planned and competently organized. This article will tell you how to do this.
Chickens, bees, milk...? Choosing the type of farm
To become a successful farmer, you first need to master the intricacies of farming and marketing farm products. And, of course, collect decent start-up capital. If you already have all this, it’s time to create a business plan called “How to open your own farm from scratch.”
And the starting point is to determine the type of activity. There are several directions in which modern farms operate. This:
- Animal husbandry.
- Poultry farming.
- Beekeeping.
- Milk products.
- Growing vegetables, herbs and fruits.
There are many examples of very profitable businesses in every industry. That is, you can earn decent money in any of these areas. Often the choice of farm type is based on the personal preferences of the entrepreneur. Some things turn out to be closer and clearer, more to your liking, but some types of farming you immediately want to give up.
Having decided what you will produce, think about the scale on which it will be. Focus on 2 factors:
- Possibilities of your starting capital.
- Sales opportunities.
After all, the larger the volume of finished products, the more problems may arise with its sale. Especially at first. Immediately identify potential distribution points and methods available in your region.
Governmental support
The development of domestic agriculture is relevant at the state level. To stimulate it, a number of support programs have been developed and implemented. A special place among them is occupied by support for beginning farmers , the program of which will operate in the period 2015–2017.
In accordance with it, any registered farm operating for less than 24 months (including beginning farmers) has the opportunity to receive a grant of up to 1.5 million rubles.
The grant can be received by farms that meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must not be a person who has been engaged in any business activity during the last 3 years.
- The applicant resides or moves for permanent residence to the territory of the federal subject in which the peasant farm is located.
- The peasant farm is the only place of employment for the manager – the applicant.
- The manager must provide a business plan for the development of the farm.
- The farm must have at least 1/10 of the requested grant amount in its bank account and these funds must be used in the future for the development of peasant farms.
- It is necessary to provide a plan (estimate) in accordance with which the grant funds will be spent.
The peasant farm is obliged to use the entire amount of the grant for its intended purpose within 12 months from the date of receipt. The peasant farm also undertakes to engage in agricultural activities for at least 5 years following the date of the grant.
The grant can be used for:
- acquisition of agricultural land,
- acquisition of construction and design works,
- construction and acquisition of warehouses and barns,
- construction of roads and access roads.
Funds can also be used for:
- buying animals,
- acquisition of current assets, equipment for sowing and harvesting.
This opportunity, provided by the state, will increase the attractiveness of farms and will undoubtedly lead to their active development.
Popular destinations
Cows are the most popular destination.
Many peasant families today keep several heads of cattle. For them, this is an affordable option for earning additional income by selling dairy products and meat. For some families this is the only source of income in rural areas.
The demand for these types of livestock products is consistently high. Perhaps you should also pay attention to this direction.
According to statistics, farm owners most often choose meat or dairy for their enterprise. There are more government requirements for milk production. And the costs for the dairy business will be higher than for the meat business.
The choice of cow breeds has many nuances. You need to carefully prepare for their purchase by studying as much information as possible. Learn more about the popular breeds in your area, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each. Keep in mind that there are meat breeds and there are dairy breeds. If funds are limited, you can buy heifers and keep them for 1-2 years. If there are 10 or more cows, a bull will be needed to fertilize them. For smaller quantities, artificial insemination is suitable.
Breeding laying hens
For beginning entrepreneurs, raising and breeding laying hens as a business is the simplest and most affordable idea for organizing your own farm. This does not require large labor or financial costs and at the same time allows you to quickly get a good result.
Experienced businessmen usually specialize in breeding breeding birds that are highly productive. This allows them to receive a stable high income all year round. The main advantage of such a business idea is minimal financial investment, high demand for products and excellent development prospects. Over time, a household can grow into a large enterprise generating excellent profits.
We legalize your business: state registration
Officially, a farm from scratch begins with state registration of the enterprise.
Every farm owner is required to legitimize his business by opening an individual entrepreneur or LLC. Most often, the first option is chosen as it is simpler and more profitable in terms of taxation.
If you plan to supply products to retail chains, first get the go-ahead from Rospotrebnadzor and firefighters. You will also need a land lease agreement.
Since food is produced on farms, the owners must have documents confirming its decent quality. If we are talking about meat production, it is necessary to obtain a veterinary examination.
Breeding partridges
Many residents of small towns and villages need additional income.
Most often they are engaged in poultry farming, for example, breeding and keeping partridges at home. Since the development of farming in Russia is at an early stage, few entrepreneurs are engaged in this business, so there are no problems with the sale of such products. This is a low-cost and quite promising business that can be organized in a country house or in a private house.
Farm space
The choice of site should be taken with the utmost seriousness.
Choosing a site for a farm requires a careful and unhurried approach. It is worth searching for it in advance. Many offers today can be viewed without leaving home via the Internet. Specialized agencies are ready to provide assistance in this matter.
But there is no need to rush into concluding an agreement. It is important to obtain more information about the land itself. There are moments that sellers or landlords are silent about. But local residents will willingly share what they know. So, if possible, visit the places you like in person and ask the local population.
When choosing a site, you should pay attention to such parameters as soil characteristics, pasture capacity, vegetation, availability and cost of storage.
You can buy land with everything you need to operate a farm. There are plots that are sold with sheds, fences and under.
Room
The size of the room needed is different in each case. It depends on the scale of the young enterprise and the direction of its activities. There are several general requirements:
- Warmth and cleanliness in the room
In winter, you need to especially monitor the temperature. It is important that the room is at least 17 degrees Celsius and maintains normal humidity. And no drafts. This is not only inhumane to the animals, but also leads to loss of profit. The room also needs access to fresh air.
- Correct layout
It differs on different types of farms. For example, if you are raising poultry, you will need to install cages. In the case of cattle, stalls and feeders will be needed. Devices for cleaning manure will differ when raising different animals.
- Water
To raise animals you will need a lot of water every day. The premises should be provided with it in abundance.
Choice of activity
Farming provides a huge range of opportunities for business development. All that remains is to choose the most suitable option. Let's list the most popular ideas.
Livestock
This business involves organizing a farm for breeding poultry or domestic animals for the purpose of subsequent sale of eggs, meat, leather, etc. You can develop a business and additionally engage in processing or production of products, conduct excursions, open a cafe.
If we talk about farming as a business idea for beginners and specifically about animal husbandry , then the most promising area is considered to be a pig farm. To open a modern complex with 100 livestock, you will need 2-4 million rubles.
Poultry farming is also a very profitable business. The size of the initial capital is much more modest and much fewer workers are required.
Making money on fish . Another promising idea. At the same time, you can sell fish, meat or caviar.
Another option that is popular is beekeeping . Honey is a traditional product for drinking tea and treating various diseases. A bee farm is easy to implement and honey is in demand all year round.
Crop production
Fruits and vegetables should be included in every person's daily diet.
That's why they are in great demand. Crop farming has a simpler organization compared to livestock farming. But there are also pitfalls. For example, frost, drought or too much rain can destroy almost the entire crop. On the other hand, most plants are grown in greenhouses, where the necessary conditions are created for the crops to guarantee fruiting in the required quantity.
In parallel with this activity, you can engage in floriculture, as well as growing medicinal herbs. These are more specific types of business, which should be approached only after analyzing the sales market.
Gardening
The main difference between this option is the long payback period. The garden begins to bear fruit only a few years after planting, so at first the entrepreneur must have a financial cushion, as well as additional income.
While waiting for the fruits, you can organize original excursions, for example, walks in the garden, or rent out space for outdoor banquets (catering).
Equipment
Purchasing equipment will require significant costs.
This item of expenditure usually turns out to be the most expensive. It will require substantial investments - at least 2 million rubles. You can’t open a farm right away by purchasing everything you need. You will have to wait and allocate time for installation. It happens that this process takes several months.
For a cattle farm, you need to purchase fencing, drinking bowls, feeders, materials for stalls and mechanisms for removing manure. Immediately consider the need to prepare food for the winter. Of course, it’s easier to buy it, but it will cost more. To harvest on your own, you will need equipment (tractor, mower, trailers, loading and unloading devices, etc.).
For a dairy business, it is necessary to purchase milking equipment and select more spacious premises. After all, you will have to keep the calves somewhere, do the milking, supply the milk, and place the cows that are not being milked.
You shouldn’t buy everything at once, the best and the most expensive. It would be wiser to buy only what you need at first, and not what you want. Over time, you will gain experience and better understand what your farm is missing. Farms are often developed in stages over 5-10 years. To save money, farm equipment can be purchased at auctions.
Personnel: how to provide work for the whole family and neighbors
Farming is most often a family business.
Often, not only its owner and organizer, but his entire family is involved in the farm. Food production in our country is traditionally a family business, in which several generations are employed, as well as close and distant relatives of the family.
If you have a family, discuss this issue with them in advance. Of course, a family farm is more profitable than hired labor. Each employee has a personal interest in the success of the business and will work conscientiously. And there are savings on staff salaries. At first, after opening, this will be very useful.
If the farming business becomes a family affair, there is a greater chance of receiving preferential conditions from the state. Nowadays there are government programs specifically for creating family farms. For example, to open such a farm, you can get a loan on preferential terms.
Geese breeding
In order to do this kind of work, you need to have certain skills. In addition, for raising geese, a room and special areas for poultry walking should be equipped. It should be noted that raising geese as a business at home, with the right approach, can bring excellent profits. Even beginners can do this kind of work, but to do this they need to study special literature in order to gain the necessary knowledge.
Geese quickly gain weight. At two months of age it can reach 4 kilograms. This is an unpretentious bird that does not require special conditions. For one adult goose you can earn 600–1200 rubles at the market. In addition, you can sell the fluff. It's not cheap. From one bird you can collect 600 g of fluff. Resellers give 200 rubles for 100 g of such raw materials. If you perform simple calculations, you can understand whether it is profitable to engage in farming, and in particular, breeding geese.
