The sophistication and easy ways to maximize resources to produce agricultural products is what led scientists to discover the hydroponic form of cultivation. You may want to ask what “Hydroponic Farming” is; in short, hydroponic farming is a means of growing terrestrial plants using nutrient solutions, in water without any soil composition.
The truth is that the hydroponic revolution has been instrumental in increasing the cultivation of agricultural products in areas where the soil composition is considered unfertile for cultivation.
The good thing about hydroponics is that, in addition to being a very clean way of growing, it allows any farmer to produce any land crop of his or her choice, regardless of the area where he or she lives and whether the soil composition of the area is suitable for the type of crop he or she wants to grow.
All they have to do is make sure they get the right nutrient solution that supports the growth of the crop of their choice. Basically if you are in the business of growing peppers, tomatoes, onions, vegetables, cucumbers, lettuce, etc., you will be paid to engage in hydroponic farming.
So, if you’re in the agriculture industry, and you’re looking to invest in efficient, corporate commercial food production, then you should consider starting your own hydroponic farm. The following are steps you should take to start your own hydroponic farm in record time.
Starting a Hydroponic Farm Business Plan
1. Conduct your feasibility studies
Starting a hydroponic farm is not the kind of business you would want to invest in without first conducting a full feasibility study.
The truth is that many investors and entrepreneurs regret starting some businesses right after they have done their feasibility studies ( ) only to realize that they are not made for this type of business or that they do not have the capital required to start such a business. It is always advisable to get first-hand information from the field before investing your money in a hydroponic farm.
2. Read all you can about hydroponic farming
You just have to be well informed about the business you are going to start. It will pay you a lot to read as much as you can about hydroponic farming. You can visit your local library, visit the World Wide Web, and if visible, visit one or two hydroponic farms so that you know everything that is required of you to start and operate this type of farm.
3. Talk to your local authority to find out if you need a permit
Of course, you know that it would not be legal for you to create a place on your balcony, basement or even on the roof (deck) to start your hydroponic farm at the commercial production level. It is important that you talk to your local authority to find out if you will require a special permit to operate a hydroponic farm in your area, and all the requirements if a permit is needed.
In some countries of the world, you may not require a special permit to start your own hydroponic farm, but it won’t be out of place to go all the way to ask questions so you don’t get caught on the wrong side of the law.
4. Choose a good location
The location you chose to start your hydroponic farm is vital to the success of your business, especially if you intend to engage in commercial farming. Just be sure to choose a location that is spacious enough for you, and a location that is close to your target market. It can be in an urban area or even in a rural area – the choice is yours as long as it fits your business model.
5. Consult experts
If you are just an investor in this line of business, it will pay you a lot to consult an expert before taking any major steps in establishing your own hydroponic farm. The truth is that you would need a hydroponic grower (scientist) to help you install all the equipment you would need and most importantly, the nutrient solution needed to grow the crops of your choice. Therefore, when you draw up your budget, be sure to include the experts’ fees in it.
6. Choose the crops to grow
There are varieties of land crops that you can grow on your hydroponic farm. You can grow peppers, tomatoes, onions, vegetables, cucumbers, lettuce, flowers and many other land crops. So you can make your choice on the type of crop to grow depending on the result you get from your market study and the type of crop that is in high demand.
The good thing about hydroponic farming is that you can afford to grow crop varieties at the same time, as long as you have enough space and the right nutrient solution that will support the growth of that crop.
7. Create your market
One of the most important factors that will determine your success as an entrepreneur is your market. The truth is that if you don’t have enough people buying the crops you produce, it would be a big challenge to maintain your hydroponic farm. You would need money to maintain this type of business, and you can only get the money from selling your products.
Therefore, it is important to develop a good marketing strategy that allows you to penetrate the market as quickly as possible. Good enough if your crops seem rich and affordable; you will have no problem getting people to buy from you. You can also approach hotels and canteens to market your crops. Without a doubt, these crops; peppers, tomatoes, onions, vegetables, cucumbers and lettuce are always in demand in dining halls and hotels.