Over the past two decades, we’ve seen a massive explosion of popularity with technological services and advances. For instance, we couldn’t have imagined that in 2000 we’d be using computers for virtually everything and the extent that technology has taken over our lives has grown at an incredible pace. As a result of that rush, we’ve seen millions of new jobs become available and it’s created a healthy industry that is now self-sustainable.
However, with the industry becoming more specialized and requiring more knowledge and expertise, it’s becoming difficult to actually make a splash in the waters of the tech industry. Creating something new now requires plenty of innovation as well as guts to pull off an idea. It’s no longer enough to just rehash what we’ve seen in the past or reuse older ideas–the industry only has room for more innovation.
As such, people have started to turn to other industries in order to start their next big successful project, and one of those industries is the agriculture.
Why Agriculture?
Farming isn’t exactly new. We’ve been farming for millennia and it’s always been something that has played a crucial component in our lives. Humans need food, and farming is one of the more stable ways to feed yourself. However, we need to also keep in mind that the farming industry itself hasn’t quite grown the way we could’ve expected.
While we consume more and more meat and vegetables on a regular basis, the techniques that are used and the land required will constantly change. Nowadays, there is a huge demand for organic ingredients and the demand is outgrowing the supply that we are able to produce. In addition a rush for organic and healthier alternatives, we also need to keep in mind that veganism and vegetarianism are becoming more and more popular due to supplements that are able to fill in certain nutritional gaps and more awareness surrounding these popular dietary choices.
As a result, the demand for healthy, fresh ingredients has surged and this is where most entrepreneurs that are willing to take a plunge and try something new are going to be making their money. Unfortunately, agriculture isn’t exactly a simple industry to become a part of. The entire community, the services and the type of suppliers you’ll be dealing with are very different to what you’d expect working in the tech industry. As a result, you’re going to want to look for an agronomy services company to work together with you. There are so many factors that you’ll likely be unfamiliar with and, in many cases, it might be better to study agriculture before you attempt to start a farm or do anything similar.
In short, agriculture is one of the best industries that you could invest in this year and in the foreseeable future. However, you also need to keep in mind that there is a huge learning curve involved and if you’re not prepared to study and start from scratch, you may as well continue what you’re doing now. But if you’re determined to try something new and give it a shot, then we’ve got plenty of useful tidbits of information and general advice to help you.
Understanding the Costs of Agriculture
Starting up your own farm isn’t necessarily difficult if you have the right people. Much like any other industry, it takes a lot of networking and some social ability in order to successfully get your big break. With plenty of farmers and experts working together with you, it should be much easier to learn and to get off to a great start. However, the costs of hiring your staff are the least of your concerns.
What you need to really think about is how much money you’ll be spending on necessities such as farmland and equipment. You’re going to need to fork over millions of dollars just to pay for hundreds of acres of land that will be used for farming or even grazing. Of course, this price will greatly depend on the location you wish to set up your farm, but expecting to pay several million should be a good base to start with. In addition to that, you also need to think about the costs of undertaking a long agriculture degree that will help you learn about the industry as a whole.
Let’s also not forget that you need to equip your business with the right tools and the necessary equipment. For instance, you’ll need a harvester, you’ll need tractors, sheds and other tools to help your farmers actually run the place. In addition to this, you’ll also have to pay for the seeds, fertilizer, different types of sprays and other consumable materials and stock that will become an integral part of your business.
Add all of these costs together and you’ll end up with a huge investment that honestly doesn’t pay out much until you’ve established yourself as a brand to trust in and have started to optimize your farming. All in all, the costs of getting into the agricultural business are incredibly high and the profit you get is much lower than you’d expect. This essentially means that your return on investment is going to take a long time and you’re better off investing your money into other avenues such as technology or even the stock market if you want faster returns.
In short, this makes the agricultural industry somewhat of a late bloomer especially if you have no connections or prior experience. However, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort into growing your career as an agricultural expert, then there are lucrative benefits to be had.
The Benefits of Agriculture
The previous section isn’t to scare you off investing in agriculture–it’s actually to give you a reality check. Many people attempt to break into the agricultural world and they get burned by it. Farming might seem innocent and laid-back compared to all of the corporate deals and technological challenges that you faced in the city, but there’s a surprising amount of stress that comes with running your own farm. There are many unpredictable variables to keep in mind, so why exactly should you invest in agriculture? Why bother if there are so many downsides? Well, there are just as many positives as there are negatives to this industry.
- You’ll get a business that is immune to market trends and far more stable. The biggest positive of starting up your own farm is that you are immune to market trends and can easily stabilize yourself. What this essentially means is that your product will always be in demand. It’s food, after all, and it will sell as long as you align yourself with the right partners. If you want a long-lasting business idea that is made to last, then there are few industries as enticing as the agricultural one.
- There are countless opportunities for adventurous entrepreneurs. Farming isn’t the only thing you can do in agriculture. Sure, it might be one of the most straightforward ideas, but it’s absolutely not the only type of career you could build. In addition to farming, you could become a manager for other farms, you could become part of the logistics chain or you could even run an overseas farm from the comfort of your office. There are many different types of work in agriculture and those who are adventurous will easily be able to forget their own career.
- You’ll be doing the world a favor. You’ve probably heard about all the initiatives that plan to help businesses reduce their emissions, remove their carbon footprint and optimize their company’s savings. Owning a farm means that you’re, by default, a green business. You’re a shining example of quality in a world of business and this will help attract many customers to your brand if you’re willing to make appearances.
- It’s a family business you can keep growing for generations. If you ever decide to settle down and have a family then it’s never a bad idea to start a farm because you can always hand it down to your kids or other family members. As long as your family is willing to take over for you wen you retire, you’ll have a well-oiled machine that is ready to continue growing.
There are many more advantages surrounding the careers in agriculture but we won’t be posting every single point. These benefits should give you a good idea of what to expect when you invest your time and money into an agricultural career.
The simple fact is that the demand for healthier alternatives is constantly rising and there are fewer farmers with the ability to supply these ingredients and produce in general, hence why there is an increased popularity and interest in the world of agriculture.
