Third Quarter / July-September 2016
BUSINESS & INNOVATION Nine Most Profitable Agricultural Business Ideas for Young Entrepreneurs Source: http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/11-most-profitable-agricultural-business-ideas-for-young-entrepreneurs-353898/ Edited by Sancia Campbell
If you are looking for opportunities in the agriculture industry, the most profitable agricultural business ideas for young entrepreneurs are some of the best options to choose from. Traditional agriculture might not sound too appealing to the youngsters of today, but the modern agriculture has diversified into many areas which make for lucrative avenues that just might be their thing. And, contrary to popular belief, agriculture is one of the most lucrative businesses which can also be a glamorous one. For starters the investment costs are generally low, and the payouts are decent. While, with organic farming coming into vogue, the opportunities have grown significantly. Agriculture might actually prove to be a way of life, away from the cut-throat competition and stressful corporate life, for the driven young Turks who aren’t afraid to tread the offbeat path. Intrigued? Here, check out the list of the most profitable agricultural business ideas for young entrepreneurs! Juices and Jams The Things Jamaican shelves at JBDC are replete with entrepreneurs who have tried their hand at Jams, Seasonings and Honey preparations. Producers include Dunsons, Sammi’s, Portland Jerk Producers, Baba Roots and Pearts. Homemade jams and seasonings are becoming more popular with the health consciousness on the rise among the population. And, with that the opportunities of earning a fortune by making and selling these products have increased too. And, if you have a knack for following recipes, this might be a piece of cake for you. Cashew Nut Processing Although cashews are one of the lowest-fibre nuts, they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These include vitamins E, K, and B6, along with minerals like copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron, and selenium, all of which are important for maintaining good bodily function. Cashew nuts can be your key to a considerable fortune! They are expensive and in demand and with simple processing and packaging you can start selling them at a reasonable profit. Head to your local markets and farms to purchase raw cashews, and you can have the ball rolling in no time. Herbs and Flowers Again, herbs are one of the more popular products at our Things Jamaican stores. Herbs have a wide range of uses and have a wide market too. What’s better, they can be easily grown in small quantities and do not require great farming expertise. Similarly, growing flowers in the garden can be a great hobby and pastime along with being a great business opportunity. Florists are in great demand as flowers make for great gifts for several special occasions including Mothers’ Day, Valentine‘s Day, Birthdays, Graduations et. al. and if you love flowers yourself, this might just be your calling!
Mushroom Farming Mushroom farming is one of the most profitable agricultural business ideas for young entrepreneurs, which has a turnaround period of only three weeks. On top of that, consumption of mushrooms inhibits the growth of cancer cells and regulates blood pressure. In other words, it’s healthy. Mushroom has huge profit potential with demand for good quality and organic mushrooms being high among restaurant owners as well as households. Solar Drying of Fruits Recently, Things Jamaican introduced the Jamaica Harvest line of the products and among them were sun dried fruits including Pineapple and Naseberry. Not only were they tasty, this method of food packaging provided a source of income for the ingenious entrepreneur who came up with the idea. Solar drying might be an offbeat venture in modern times, but it has actually been around for hundreds of years. Sun drying of fruits and vegetables helps to preserve their nutritional value and has a wide range of uses in making soups and stews or even just as snacks. And, with the employment of modern techniques and a simple sun dryer, it is now easier than ever. Exports Little more enterprising youngsters can try their hand at packaging and exportation of agriculture produce. Demand for agricultural products is rising internationally with people being open to exploring and trying out exotic fruits and vegetables. Find out what the stipulations are for exporting from your country to the targeted destination. Also, identify what fruits and produce are in demand, examine your ability to deliver and make it happen. Spices Production Jamaica has some of the most potent spices in the world and they are filled with health benefits. Spices are expensive and always in demand, and hence the profits that can flow from them are quite attractive. Also, organic and homemade fresh spices are increasingly being considered by people as an alternative to packaged and manufactured ones. Livestock Feed One can choose to cater to the agricultural sector by producing livestock feed for farms. As agriculture is being recognized as a lucrative sector, and more farms are coming up by the day, the demand for livestock feed is also rising. Leasing of Agriculture Equipment Yet another way you can cater to the ever-growing needs of the agriculture industry is by leasing out agricultural equipment. This way one does not have to directly engage in agriculture business and still reap benefits from the growing industry by investing in farm equipment. With definitive gains and little hard work, it definitely is one of the most profitable agriculture business ideas for young entrepreneurs.
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