Agric Business Plans for Africa

Agric Business Plans to all Agripreneurs in Africa. Countries.

HOW PROFITABLE IS A AGRO – TOURISM BUSINESS?

Agricultural Business, Agriculture Business Plans, Branding & Brand Equity, Building a profitable business, Business Plans, Business Profiles, Farming Business Plans, Farming Plans, Farming Profiles, Farming Proposals /

                              

Agro – tourism receives massive support from Government because it gives farmers and other stakeholders in the industry a opportunity to generate additional income and an avenue for direct marketing of their produce to consumers.

Agro – tourism is a booming line of business in any country. Agro tourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses, tasting honey, learning about wine and cheese making, or shopping in farm gift shops and farm stands for produce or hand crafted- gifts.

Some of the factors that encourage entrepreneurs to start their own agro tourism business could be that the business is easy to set up and the start up capital is indeed affordable.. You can actually start your own agro- tourism business from a small farm. However, you need to ensue that you have things in place or activities that will compel people (tourists) to travel from far to tour your farm.

Agro – tourism is defined as a form of commercial enterprise that links agriculture production or processing with tourism in order to attract visitors, with a number of financial, educational and social benefits for tourists, producers and communities. Travelers are stepping off the beaten track and treading new paths, embracing local culture, food, flora and fauna. Agro – tourism caters to this rising demand for valuable experiences, by offering insight into (often unseen) industries. In doing so, it can also become a key contributor to the local tourism economy, attracting a higher volume of visitors and increasing the length of their stay.

Agro – tourism can offer guests new insights and experiences that in most instances, strengthens their connection with the environment. Whether it’s cut-flower gardens offering bouquet workshops, dairy farms inviting guests to milk cows, or those providing temporary accommodation facilities, it’s a great way to fuse travel experiences for guests with agricultural benefits for businesses.

WANT TO KNOW MORE OR NEED HELP WITH A PROFESSIONAL AND WELL – STRUCTURED FARMING BUSINESS PLAN CONTACT US NOW AT (27) 84 583 3143 OR EMAIL: money2global.co.za

                        

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GROWING CROPS UNDER SOLAR PANELS NOW SUCCESSFULLY

Agricultural Business, Agriculture Business Plans, Building a profitable business, Business Plans, Business Profiles, Farming Business Plans, Farming Plans, Farming Profiles, Farming Proposals, Solar Power Farming, Solar Power Farming Business Plans /

                                                                                        

As countries make the switch to renewable energy, solar power is a major player. All you need is sunlight and land to use for solar panels. It’s that easy. Over the course of a year, a study in “Nature Sustainability” analyzed what is known as “Agrivoltaics”. This is a land-sharing process tat integrates agriculture and solar energy int a symbiotic system; meaning that vegetables are planted in the shade of solar panels.

The agrivoltaics system assisted crops by regulating air temperatures, reducing direct sunlight, and increasing moisture in the air. Panels also protected the crops from intense winds and sunlight. Not only did the panels help the plants, but the plants also increased the efficiency of the solar panels by cooling them via transpiration. In mixed crop solar farms, the skin temperature is 18 degrees cooler than in open fields. This can create a much safer work environment as some farm laborers are at risk of heat stroke and other heat – related dangers.

A team of French scientists lead by Christopne Dupraz were the first to use the term “Agrivoltaic”. It basically means when solar panels and food crops are combined on the same land to maximize the land use. It’s an idea to maximize the land use. It’s an idea which could bring food producing to the next level. Researchers from the University of Arizona have claimed growing crops in the shade of solar panels can lead to two or three times more vegetable and fruit production than conventional agriculture.

The scientists said that their measurements showed how shading from the panels had a positive impact on air temperature, direct sunlight and atmospheric demand for water. The shade provided by the PV panels resulted in cooler daytime and warmer nighttime temperatures than the traditional, open-sky planting system they said. There was also a lower vapor pressure deficit in the agrivoltaics system, meaning there was more moisture in the air.

                                                             

Solar farming is a field filled with hundreds or maybe thousands of solar panels oriented into the sun. Instead of potatoes, beans or tomatoes planted in the soil, solar panels cover that land, while energy is being produced. It is obvious that traditional farming is a relatively risky business because one is very much dependent on weather conditions. If there is just the right amount of sun, rain and if there no extreme storms, strong winds etc. Thus, not to worry about all these environmental factors and still get income is really uplifting and a bit too good to be true. Therefore, next to power generation, solar farms found another niche “agrivoltaics” – or in other words APV-. It is an amazing idea for a environmentally conscious world, both agribusiness and society.

METHODS

There are three types of agrivoltaics that are being actively researched:

1. solar arrays with space between for crops;

2. stilled solar array above crops; and

3. greenhouse solar array.

All three of these systems have several variables used to maximize solar energy absorbed in both the panels and the crops. The main variable taken into account for agrivoltaic systems is the angle of the solar panels – called the tilt angle. Other variables taken into account for choosing the location of the agrivoltaic system are the crops chosen, height of the panels, solar irradiation in the area and the climate of the area.

TO ENABLE YOU TO RUN SUCH A OPERATION SUCCESSFULLY, YOU WILL NEED ASSISTANCE WITH A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PLAN.

CONTACT US NOW FOR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL ASSISTANCE AT 084 583 3143 OR money@global.co.za

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HOW TO START A BERRY FARMING OPERATION NOW?

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WHY GROW BERRIES?:

Berries are a high-value, nutrient – dense crop. Farmers grow them for the market to bring in extra cash. Berries are the cherished fruit of every farm, and once planted, they often produce for seasons to come. Find out which berry types will give you instant gratification and which are easy to care for.

BLACKBERRIES

They are easy to grow once you get the hang of the pruning routine, and the large, juicy berries will yield their first harvest in the second summer. Although they are delicious, they are farther down on the popularity ranking and fewer farmers are growing them.

Be aware that raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are all perennial fruits.. This means that you only get one chance to set up their site properly. You should plant them 2 1/2 feet apart in rows. Clear the planting area of weeds and work in compost and other spoil amendments before planting. Spring and fall are the best times to plant perennials.

BLUEBERRIES

Blueberry shrubs are slow-growing and usually take about three years to begin bearing fruit. If you’re busy setting up a new farm, this is one crop that you can plant right away and then get on with other tasks while they get established.

For the best harvest, choose a site that is in full sun. Blueberries will enjoy a north – facing slope or the north side of a building in order to prevent damage from late- spring frosts, and it’s essential that the site be well-drained. Blueberries have specific soil needs. The pH must be between 4.5 and 5.0, and the soil must be amended if it doesn’t meet this requirement. They grow well on slopes or in raised beds where drainage is ideal. Plant them either in spring or fall, spaced about 4 feet apart.

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberry plants will produce a heavy yield in the late spring of their second year. June – bearing strawberries should be planted in full sun for the maximum yield. They like rich, loose soil that drains well. For this reason, they are often planted on slopes or in raised beds. Plant them in the early spring, after the soil had dried a bit, spaced 12 inches apart.

In the first year, remove runners and flowers, in order to encourage the plants to put energy into developing strong root systems. Keep plants well-watered in the first year.

GROUND CHERRIES

Ground Cherries or husk cherries, strawberry tomatoes, or husk tomatoes- are an annual in the nightshade family that will produce heavy harvests like other nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes. They’re golden, tart – sweet berries with a strawberry pineapple- like flavor. They are reminiscent of cherry tomatoes except that they grow inside a paper – like husk. They can be eaten fresh and are popularly used to make jams, preserves, baked goods or salsa. Unfortunately, because they’re frost sensitive they’ll need to be replanted each year.

Try “Aunt Molly’s”, a heritage variety from Poland known to be prolific and super sweet. Practice good crop rotation, as ground cherries are susceptible to many of the same diseases as other nightshades.

RASPBERRIES

Raspberries are one of the most popular berries to grow, and some varieties produce two crops – one in spring and another in fall. This type is called ever bearing or full-bearing. Ever-bearing raspberries that are planted in the spring will usually produce a harvest in the fall of the first year. No waiting – outside of the usual growing season, that is!

Raspberries are self- pollinating, so you can grow a single plant or a whole stem of them. Site your raspberries in full sun spaced 2 feet apart in rows with good drainage. They’ll enjoy a north – facing slope or the north side of a building in order to protect them from late-spring frosts. Keep the plants well-watered in their first year, and use a trellis system to keep canes and berries off the ground and to make the canes more manageable.

ELDERBERRY

Elderberry (European Black Elder) is a truly multi-purpose plant and can be used for a hedge, wildlife attractant, landscaping and for their abundance of fruit. This Elderberry plant is easy to grow, care for and can grow up to 6m high. This variety is self pollinating, but will bear even better quality fruit when pollinated with another Elderberry plant. Elderberry fruit is a glossy dark purple to black berry, 506 mm in diameter, produced in drooping, sometimes numerous clusters in late summer.

Like most other berries, Elderberries are full of antioxidants and contain high amounts of Vitamin C which aid your immune system in preventing and fighting off colds and flu. The Elderberry is easy to grow. The plant should be placed in full sun, but tolerates party shade. A soil PH level of 5.5 – 6.5 is optimal. The plant prefers loamy to sandy soil, but will also tolerate clayey soil.

Planting any edible perennial requires patience, as they usually take from one to three years to begin producing a monthly yield. Luckily, there are a few quick-yielding crops to note that will help take you over.

YOU WILL NEED A PROFESSIONAL FARMING BUSINESS PLAN FOR YOUR OPERATION – CONTACT US – email: money@global.co.za

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SMALL SCALE DAIRY FARMING – HOW TO START NOW

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As the fifth-largest agriculture industry in South Africa, milk production provides a regular income for thousands of small and large producers. Commercial dairy farming is a demanding and complex operation. To succeed at it, you need to understand dairy cattle. Highly sophisticated equipment is used for milking, and it is essential to employ skilled well-trained workers and also adhere to strict quality control regulations.

Buying a Dairy Farm

Buying a dairy farm is not a decision you should make without talking to experts and considering various factors, as it involves investing a huge amount of money. Not only do you need enough money to buy the farm, you will need money to maintain farming activities and develop the farm in future. The neighbors, local vet, and agriculture expert at your bank can all provide valuable information and advice.

You should find out more about the following important factors:-

  • Availability of dependable electricity;
  • Existing milk facilities and equipment;
  • Distance of the farm to the nearest town;
  • Existing milk route of milk buying companies;
  • Condition of the roads to the farm;
  • Existing contract with a company that buys milk;
  • Availability of sufficient water;
  • Existing pastures and types of soil.

Getting the basics right:-

According to Milk SA preparing adequate infrastructure and establishing a market for your products are crucial for success:

1. Make sure that there is a co-op, shop, school, processor, or even a clinic that will buy your milk;

2. Find out the type of packaging your customer prefers. Some clients for example, want plastic bottles, while others may bring their own containers;

3. Refrigeration is crucial. Your customer will not want warm milk that will sour quickly;

4. If a buyer or processor collects milk from your farm ensure that the access roads are good and your reception area is up to standard;

5. A collection center will only buy milk that has been tested.

Understand the Dairy Market

Before you can sell your milk, it is necessary that you understand some basic principles. Once you understand these principles, you will be able to expand your milk sales with confidence. The production of milk follows a process that basically consists of four steps:-

1. Rearing Animals – feeding, breeding and caring for them.

2. Collecting, Chilling and Bulking – transporting your milk to the collection center or to your customers or the collection of milk on your farm.

3. Producing – milking your cows.

4. Marketing – the sales of your milk, directly to the public or to a buyer or co- operative.

Testing

Once you start selling your milk to a collection center, you will have to agree to the testing of your milk. A center will not buy milk if they are not sure that the milk is hygienic. If you are selling to a shop or to the community, it is your duty to supply safe, clean, fresh and hygienic milk.

YOU WILL NEED A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PLAN  CONTACT (27)  084 583 3143 email: money@global.co.za

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