Own farming: how to start a business? How to open a farm from scratch What a farmer needs

The state strongly supports entrepreneurs who are engaged in agriculture, so this niche has begun to attract many newcomers. Farming has many advantages - wide markets, high income and quick payback. In this article we will tell you how to become a farmer from scratch in our country.

Development prospects

From scratch in Russia is one of the most promising areas of activity for beginners living in rural areas. This is due to the following factors:

  • First of all, this is assistance from the state to farmers. Subject to certain conditions, any newcomer can receive a free subsidy, grant or tax breaks as support for his newly created farm;
  • Constantly rising food prices. This has a positive effect on the profitability of farms;
  • Farm products are always in demand in the market because they are essential goods;
  • Domestic producers do not experience any restrictions on access to the market;
  • New areas of activity are constantly emerging in this area, for example, breeding ostriches or pheasants;
  • Wide markets.

Business ideas 2019 with minimal investment in rural areas are an ideal basis for the development of a large-scale enterprise. If you take your work responsibly and are able to create a competent development strategy, farming will generate significant income.

Growing mushrooms

Experienced businessmen often have to answer the question of how to become a farmer from scratch and where to start. They advise that before choosing an idea, you need to highlight the main aspects:
  • Possibility of quick learning;
  • Minimum starting capital;
  • Fast payback;
  • Great demand for products.

Fits all these parameters. This idea has many advantages and allows you to make good profits. Mushrooms do not require much attention, so growing them will not take up much of your time.

If you have decided to become a farmer and are wondering where to start, then first of all you need to calculate future costs. The size of the starting capital largely depends on the scale of production, the variety of mushrooms you will grow and the cost of the seed. Let's try to calculate how much money will be needed for one cycle of champignon production in a small farm:

  • Production of 30 tons of compost – 20 thousand rubles;
  • Mycelium – 10 thousand rubles;
  • Heating – 50 thousand rubles.
  • Total: 80 thousand rubles.

From 1 ton of compost you can harvest 200 kg of champignons at 100 rubles per 1 kg. With 30 tons you will get 6 tons of mushrooms, worth 600 thousand rubles. If you are now interested in how to become a farmer from scratch without spending money, you can start growing mushrooms in small quantities, for example, in your country house or in the basement of a private house. Invest the money you earn in the development of your enterprise and over time you will be able to achieve great success.

Growing vegetables in a greenhouse

Everyone knows that the vegetables sold in stores in winter are grown in greenhouses. Such products are charged exorbitant prices, and the manufacturer receives the bulk of the money from their sales. Based on this, it can be argued that owning a greenhouse is a great idea on how to become a farmer from scratch in Crimea and receive help from the state.

It is advisable that your farm is located close to markets, for example, in a nearby suburb. Do not forget to provide convenient access roads for the removal of finished products. You can learn how to build a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands for winter growing from specialists or from relevant literature.

Before you become a vegetable farmer from scratch, carefully consider where you will deliver your finished products. The simplest option is to sell the harvest through wholesale centers, but they offer low prices, so the profit from growing vegetables will be insignificant. Another option is retail. In this case, you will have to equip a retail outlet and hire a salesperson. Many farmers sell their finished products to restaurants and processing plants.

The profitability of this business largely depends on climatic conditions and the choice of crop. It is most profitable to focus on expensive goods, since in the summer many vegetables are grown in open ground and their prices decrease significantly during the season. In this regard, your costs for greenhouse cultivation may not be recouped. Once you have a net income, you can think about how to become a vegetable farmer on a larger scale.

Production of organic products

Recently, the demand for organic products has begun to grow. Many entrepreneurs make good money from this. If you have your own plot of land and are interested in becoming a farmer from scratch, farming may be the perfect idea to get started. Its main advantage is its low barrier to entry. A small eco-farm can be organized on your own personal plot. This is the easiest way to become a novice farmer.

The production of organic products is one of the most promising niches on the market. If you are attracted to this line of work, you should not completely rely on your own knowledge and intuition. Before becoming a farmer in Russia from scratch in the field of organic farming, consult with a qualified specialist. He will tell you which crops are best to grow in your region and how to properly care for them. If you choose the planting time wisely, you can harvest two crops in one season. For example, first you sow radishes, which ripen in 40 days, after which you plant tomatoes or peppers in its place. Proper selection of crops will allow you to increase your income significantly.

Breeding Vietnamese pigs

Wondering how to become a pig farmer? This area of ​​activity has broad development prospects. High-quality fresh meat is always in demand on the market, so its prices are consistently high. Pig farming attracts many farmers due to the simplicity of the technological process. All you need to do is raise pigs and sell the meat. The only obstacle is large financial investments.

If you do not have a large start-up capital, start by breeding Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. This breed has many advantages over ordinary white pigs:

  • Due to their high immunity, animals do not need regular vaccinations;
  • Vietnamese pigs are herbivores, so you don’t have to buy a lot of expensive grain feed to raise them;
  • Females reach sexual maturity at 4 months, and males at 6 months;
  • Great fertility.

If you don’t know anything about pig farming, contact entrepreneurs who have been involved in this business for a long time. They will tell you how to become a farmer from scratch and what you need to do for this. Experienced breeders believe that breeding is more profitable than meat. All investments pay off literally after the first litter. Since piglets can be sold at 3-4 weeks of age, you will spend virtually nothing on their care. The most important thing is a responsible attitude and hard work; success is guaranteed to you.

Raising bulls for meat

Rural residents often ask how to become a farmer from scratch and whether they provide initial capital if they turn to the state for help. If you provide a competent business plan and can convince the commission that your activities will really bring benefits, in principle you can count on financial support. But this does not mean that you can start without having your own funds. Before becoming a farmer in Russia, you need to put together at least a small start-up capital or start with the simplest ideas, for example, growing vegetables on your own plot.

Now let's talk about how to become a farmer from scratch in the field of livestock farming. For example, you can start breeding bulls for meat. If you have enough money to raise 10 heads, you should not chase high income and take 20 calves for fattening. Do not forget that young bulls cannot be kept without walking. When the animals become adults, it is better to keep them in a barn or under a shed, since grown bulls can pose a danger to others. In order for animals to quickly gain weight, you need to include succulent and grain feed in their diet. When the bulls gain a weight of 300-350 kg, they can be sold for 40-45 thousand rubles. As you can see, this is quite a profitable business, but before you become a farmer from scratch in the field of livestock breeding, you need to prepare for the fact that the business will take a lot of effort and time from you, since animals require care and attention.

Growing remontant raspberries

What to do in the village to earn money? A good business idea is growing raspberries. It is suitable for anyone who has a small plot of land. The amount of starting capital depends on the choice of raspberry variety. In any case, the implementation of such a project will not require large financial investments. True, such a business is seasonal, but if you work hard, you can get a good addition to the family budget.

- this is a simple but rather troublesome task. It is necessary to make trellises that will support the branches. In addition, you will have to regularly remove young growth and weeds. If you don't take care of your raspberries, they will start to grow wild. Income largely depends on both demand and the market price for this product. Raspberries can be sold in bulk to stores and processing plants, or sold on the market at a retail price. Or combine all these options for selling finished products.

According to experts, growing raspberries is the easiest way to become a farmer from scratch in the field of crop production. The profitability of growing remontant raspberries reaches 65%. All initial investments pay off in 3.5 years. If you want to increase your income, you can sell cuttings and shoots.

Geese breeding

A great idea on how to become a successful farmer from scratch in our country. This is a fairly profitable business that does not require significant financial investments.

Let's try to figure out how to become a farmer and where to start? First of all, you will need a room with an area of ​​150 square meters. meters. It can contain 1000 birds. It should be insulated, as geese can get frostbite on their paws or beaks. The construction of such a premises will be too expensive, so it is better to rent some abandoned poultry house.

The biggest costs are the purchase of young animals and feed. If you do not have your own funds, ask your local administration how to become a farmer from scratch and receive a subsidy from the state. Such financial assistance can be a good basis for the development of your business.

To summarize, I would like to note the following: if you have experience in the field of poultry breeding and have in mind an abandoned poultry house with an adjacent plot of land and a small pond, you can safely start breeding geese. This is one of the simplest and most profitable options on how to become a farmer from scratch in 2019.

Breeding laying hens for eggs

Let's think again about how you can make money in the village? There are many ideas that can be successfully implemented in rural areas. The simplest of them is raising chickens. If you create good conditions for laying hens, from a hundred heads you will receive 80–85 eggs daily. In addition, you can sell chicken manure. It is used as a fertilizer for plants. When the chickens begin to produce fewer eggs, they can be slaughtered and sold, and the proceeds can be used to buy chickens again.

It will not require any serious financial or time expenditure from you. The bird needs to be fed and watered on time, and droppings must be cleaned up after them. You will spend no more than two hours a day on all this. This is all you need to become a farmer in this area. There are usually no problems with the sale of eggs, since this product is always in demand on the market.

If you are looking for ideas on how to become a poultry farmer from scratch, start by raising laying hens and gradually grow your business. All investments pay off in 8 months, after which you reach net income. If you sell not only eggs, but also meat and chickens, the farm will prosper.

Pheasant breeding

While watching videos on the Internet on how to become a farmer from scratch, you have probably come across such original ideas as breeding pheasants. This is a very interesting and quite profitable type of entrepreneurial activity, but in our country it is not yet very popular. Local breeders do not have experience in breeding such exotic birds, which negatively affects the development of this business.

Pheasant meat is purchased by many stores and restaurants. If you can properly organize the sale of finished products, your business will flourish. In Russia, pheasants are also bought by many hunting farms, which organize pheasant hunts for wealthy people. On average, one pheasant can be sold for $10, while its cost is $5–6. will require certain financial investments from you. All investments pay off in 2–3 years.

conclusions

- this is quite a profitable, but at the same time troublesome business. The level of profitability depends on the scale of the farm, pricing policy and sales volumes of finished products. The more cash you can generate, the faster your business will grow.

Recently, many citizens have begun to open businesses in rural areas, since in the city almost all profitable niches have long been occupied by experienced entrepreneurs. Another good reason is the ability to start without large capital investments. In this article we will talk about where to start farming and how to lead it to success.

How to open a farm?

If you decide to open a farm, but don’t know where to start, the first thing you need to do is develop a competent business plan. First, carefully calculate all the costs, consult with specialists and plan all your further actions. After this, you can begin to implement the idea. A business plan will become a guiding thread that will lead your business to success. The most important thing is to have a successful start, and all problems can be solved as they arise.

So, where to start organizing a farm? The first thing you need to do is find a suitable plot of land. It can be purchased as property or rented. It is most profitable to buy land. In this case, you will not worry that its owner will refuse to renew it after the lease expires. At the moment, in the regions, one hectare of agricultural land costs 2–4 thousand rubles. This is a very affordable price even for beginners who do not have large starting capital.

After you figure out the land, you need to decide what exactly you will do.

The most popular areas of activity:

  • Pig farming;
  • Poultry farming;
  • Breeding cattle;
  • Growing vegetables or melons;
  • Fish farming.

The easiest way to start a farm from scratch is to choose one area of ​​activity and gradually develop it. The main advantage of any farmer is that in addition to the main profit, he can receive additional income. For example, if you have organized, you can simultaneously produce frozen berries, preserves and jams. Entrepreneurs who raise cows or pigs can produce sausages and stews. The cultivation of grain crops can be accompanied by the production of flour, pasta and cereals.

Financial investments

It is quite difficult to answer the question of how much it costs to open a farm, since the size of the initial investment largely depends on the scale of the future enterprise and field of activity. If you are planning to start raising cattle, you will need a large start-up capital, approximately 2–5 million rubles. To open a small poultry farm you will have to spend 0.7–1.5 million rubles. For beginners who are interested in how to start a farm from scratch, it is better to start by growing vegetables. In this case, you will only need money to purchase seed and fertilizers.

Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own business in the countryside often ask the question: I want to open a farm, how will the state help? You should not expect that you will be able to get a loan immediately after registering your business. In our country, it is issued only to those farmers who fall under the program for the development of the agro-industrial complex. In addition, this is too troublesome, since in order to receive financial assistance, you need to find several guarantors. If you register for unemployment at the employment center, you may be given a free subsidy for starting a business in the amount of 50–60 thousand rubles.

Profit

The first profit from farming can be obtained in 9–12 months. The payback period for a business does not depend on the area of ​​activity. With the right approach, you can cover all expenses within just a year of work. After this, your income will be significantly higher than the cost of maintaining the farm. If you can’t decide, be sure to pay attention to this promising area of ​​activity. Many successful farmers started with a small family farm and managed to reach great heights thanks to their patience and hard work.

Business profitability

Some farmers cannot make their enterprise profitable because they do not have the appropriate knowledge and skills. But this does not mean that this area of ​​​​activity should be given up. To achieve success, you need to regularly update equipment and other assets, study advanced developments in agriculture and stimulate land holdings.

To increase the profitability of your business, breed several types of animals or grow different vegetables and fruits. If one part of your structure turns out to be unprofitable, the other will in any case cover all costs and allow you to make a profit.

Another effective way to increase profitability is your own production on a farm. Open a small enterprise and process finished products on your own. In addition, you need to find buyers who will purchase it in bulk at competitive prices.

The most popular ideas for beginners

Are you interested in how to start a farm without large initial investments? In agriculture, you can start your own business literally from scratch. If you take your work responsibly, over time, a small farm will turn into a highly profitable production enterprise. If you are not interested in growing vegetables or other crops, you can start breeding:

"Farmers start farms for the love of farming. They love watching plants grow. They love being around animals. They love working outdoors. They love any kind of weather, even inclement weather." - Wendell Berry.


So you want to become a farmer, but have never raised crops or livestock in your life? There is no need to worry - this article will help you get started on the path to your dream of becoming a farmer.

Steps

Part 1

Learn farming

    Clearly decide for yourself why you are interested in farming. This is hard work that requires a high level of responsibility, and definitely does not fall into the category of easy money-making enterprises. This industry is deeply rooted in tradition. If you've never had a farm or agricultural experience and still want to become a farmer, expect a lot of bewildered surprise from farmers and non-farmers alike. Be prepared to confidently answer the question: “Why do you want to do this?”

    • Be prepared for criticism and ridicule. At the same time, most people in the farming community are happy to share advice and support with those just starting out in the field.
  1. Choose which type of farming you want to do. In most cases, any farming specialization can be classified into one of two types. The first is the cultivation of agricultural crops, such as: grain crops (oilseeds, cereals, legumes), orchards, berry farms, vineyards, vegetables, wheat and silage. The second is animal husbandry, or the raising of beef or dairy cattle, pigs, poultry, horses, sheep, bees, or exotic animals. Organic farming is another subsection of agriculture and livestock farming that specializes in alternative production methods.

    • Commercial/industrial farms typically include multiple operations to support the main type of production. For example, a dairy farm cannot be profitable without support from silage and grain production. Farms that specialize exclusively in growing grains use a rotation system, growing a minimum of two grains per season, rotating oilseeds, grains and legumes annually to meet market demand. There is a common belief that the larger the farm, the fewer sectors or ancillary businesses it operates. However, this is not always the case and you should not worry about it in the process of your own choice. You can completely decide for yourself which sectors you would like to include in your farm.
    • Many family farms - large or small - involve at least five types of production. Family farms are usually a type of mixed farm where production includes both growing crops and raising livestock.
  2. Talk to experienced farmers. Try to find farms that are close in character to what you want. Ask around and perhaps you could visit one of these farms. Do some research online to see if there is a local farm themed fair planned in your area. Be sure to attend such an event - there you can find serious and active manufacturers with whom it will be useful for you to communicate.

    • Ask them various questions about what they do (what their process involves), how their farm has changed over time, what developments they envision in their sector, and ask permission to visit them on the farm. Farmers are generally friendly, humble and welcoming people, although some may be more reserved than others.
    • Farmers' markets are also a great place to meet farmers, especially those who have a narrow specialization of their farming (goat cheese, berries, etc.).
  3. Do your homework. Read books that discuss the type of farm you want to create. Search the Internet for articles and forums on farming. Online forums are a great resource for sharing experiences with farming experts.

    • As you do your research, determine what skills you will need to successfully run your farming operation. What is the market for your product? How suitable is your area of ​​residence for this type of farming?
  4. Take a class on farming. There are several ways to obtain the necessary information through training. One of the most common ways is to attend university and study agriculture, agricultural economics and management. Of course, a university education is not necessary to become a farmer. Look online for advertisements for seminars and other classes on topics that interest you.

    • Modern farmers are essentially entrepreneurs. They have to in order to survive. Understanding agricultural economics and farming policies will help you reach higher levels of production.
  5. Consider your possible relocation options. Some regions are more conducive to farming success than others, and different areas are more suitable for different sectors of the economy. Find out where the best place to set up the type of farm you want is and research the farms that already exist there. Or find out what farms already exist in the area you're interested in to decide if it's right for your type of farm.

    Part 2

    Get first-hand experience
    1. Get trained by offering your services as a worker on an existing farm. This is one of the key steps towards becoming a farmer, as it is an opportunity to work in exchange for the opportunity to learn and gain the necessary experience as a hired worker. Since you're just starting out, as in most professions, it's a good idea to start at the bottom. There are several ways to get started on a farm. :

      Be prepared for the fact that this may not be a very profitable business. Pay for farm workers is often extremely low. Many jobs are purely seasonal (usually during the summer). In winter it is almost impossible to find such a job.

    2. Demonstrate your desire to learn. Watch what experienced people do and ask them to teach you; often you will even have to simply ask why they do what they do. During your first year on the farm, your learning curve will skyrocket and you will gain experience in the areas of knowledge of how to change the oil on a tractor, how to fix a combine, how to prepare a cow for milking, how to prepare hay, how to feed cattle, and even how to tell the difference. wheat from barley.

      • You should not expect that you can become a farmer without understanding the skills, knowledge and technical aspects of farming processes. The best teacher is known to be experience. The books and articles on our site can only give you a general idea; A real farming experience awaits you ahead.
    3. Be flexible and open to new activities. You must be prepared to do any work that your farm may require of you. Many activities will require you to learn (and a lot of manual labor). If there are activities that you fundamentally do not want to do, voice this and realize that this will become your limitation. However, if, for example, you are not prepared to euthanize a sick or dying animal, you may be missing the point - namely, the understanding that by doing so you are doing good and saving the animal from suffering. These types of questions may include (and this is not an exhaustive list):

      • Cleaning stables and barnyards.
      • Working on a high ladder or roof.
      • Operate equipment such as a tractor, combine or harvester.
      • Extermination of rodents, such as rats and rabbits.
      • Protection from wild animals.
      • Compliance with the feeding or milking schedule.
      • Sowing or harvesting for 12 hours straight with little or no breaks.
      • Use of pesticides on the field.
      • Slaughter and butchering of livestock.
      • Euthanasia of sick animals.
      • Repair and maintenance of equipment, treatment of sick animals, etc.
    4. Much of the farm work requires bending, lifting, pulling, hauling and throwing. Only farm managers can sometimes avoid hard work, but they too often have to work to the limit of their capabilities.

      • Don't shy away from getting familiar with technology. Understand as many different types of farm equipment as possible. Learn how to use them, how to ensure safety, how to store, operate and repair them. Even the smallest farms typically rely on a walk-behind tractor and a small tractor.
    5. Dress appropriately. It may sound strange, but showing up to a farm in a suit and shoes is akin to showing up for an interview at a law firm in jeans and sneakers. At the very beginning of the development of the farm, you will have to do a lot of physical labor. Wear comfortable, loose, warm clothing and waterproof shoes.

        For most, it takes a year or two of experience on other farms before one can consider oneself “educated enough” to move from farm worker to farm manager.
    • Be open to learning and dedicate as much time as possible to it. When you make mistakes, don't take failures personally, just learn from the experience.
    • Use common sense and intuition. In situations of uncertainty, ask for advice.
    • Be punctual and know how to get along with your boss!
    • Before setting up a farm, have a small garden or pet to better understand the nature of the work ahead of you.

    Warnings

    • Farming is not for everyone. Perhaps after a few months of working on someone's farm you will realize that you don't like it at all. That is why it is useful to start by gaining experience from others, rather than creating your own business and then regretting it.
    • Farm work can be extremely dangerous, especially when handling animals and equipment. Be careful and follow safety precautions!

Farming is a profitable type of business, which, however, is very risky and requires high costs. Let's consider the main sectors of farming and the features of their implementation, as well as the reasons for such a rapid development of livestock farming in Russia.

Farm business development

Farm business in Russia, in particular livestock farming, has become increasingly popular and developed over the years thanks to the following factors:

  • the presence of government programs that, if farmers comply with certain conditions, in order to support newly created farms and national producers, provide subsidies, tax breaks, grants, initial capital, and allocate land for farming;
  • rising food prices, which increases farm profits;
  • food products produced by farms, namely meat, milk, eggs, cheese, honey, cottage cheese, are always in demand in the markets and have their own customer base, as they provide the basic needs of consumers;
  • restriction of access to the market for products of foreign suppliers and manufacturers - national producers, in turn, do not experience such restrictions;
  • a wide range of economic activities, the emergence and development of new species (for example, ostrich breeding farms);
  • the products of the national manufacturer inspire confidence among consumers and are in demand;
  • the opportunity to obtain a permanent customer base and markets for products.

Thus, farming business is a profitable and promising activity that is rapidly developing and, at certain costs, can bring significant income that will fully recoup the invested funds and time spent.

Farming sectors

Farming is divided into 2 main sectors:

  • agriculture (growing various types of grain crops: rice, wheat, barley, etc.);
  • livestock farming

Animal breeding as a business includes the following sub-sectors:

  • pig breeding;
  • cattle breeding (cattle breeding);
  • sheep breeding;
  • poultry farming;
  • bee breeding;
  • horse breeding;
  • ostrich breeding;
  • reindeer husbandry;
  • rabbit breeding;
  • fur farming and others.

Pig farming, poultry farming, sheep farming and cattle breeding have received the greatest development.

Cattle breeding meets the population's needs for milk and meat; beef and veal are of high quality and high cost.

Poultry farming provides the market with meat and eggs, and poultry meat (turkeys, chickens, ducks, turkeys) is more in demand than beef and pork due to the lower cost of meat and the absence of difficulties in breeding birds on farms. Chicken is the most popular meat in markets; chicken breeding is a promising and profitable activity.

Pig farming is a rapidly developing type of economic activity. Pork is the second most popular meat in markets, after chicken; this meat is cheaper than beef and has high quality, nutritional value and calorie content.

Sheep farming requires a large amount of pasture for its development and provides markets not only with meat and milk, but also with wool.

Pig breeding as a business

Before you start pig farming, you should keep in mind that although this is a highly profitable activity, it, like any type of farming activity, requires a lot of effort, time and significant financial costs to achieve results.

Basic rules to follow if you decide to start pig farming

1. Decide on the location of the farm, taking into account: established standards for proximity to populated areas, the minimum required area of ​​the farm, distance from water sources.

2. Prepare the necessary documents for the administration to sign. Find out under what conditions you can receive government subsidies, benefits, etc.

3. Study the market structure, namely the supply and demand of pork meat and lard in the markets in your region. As a rule, the greatest demand is for lean and lean pork, lard with a layer of meat (loin).

4. Prepare a business plan that, when calculating financial expenses, will show the effectiveness of pig farming and possible profits. Financial expenses include the following:

  • buying pigs;
  • construction or rental of premises;
  • purchase of inventory and equipment;
  • staff salaries;
  • stern;
  • payment for veterinarian services, vaccinations, etc.

The plan also needs to assess the possible risks of the enterprise and indicate the stages of project implementation with actions at each stage.

5. Build pigsties, sheds, purchase the necessary tools and equipment, feed.

6. Hire qualified personnel (animal technician, laborers, pig breeders, etc.).

7. Great attention should be paid to the selection of pig breeds. There are pig breeds specially bred for production:

  • meat;
  • meat and lard;
  • meat and bacon;
  • bacon;
  • lard

The meat and bacon producing breeds are in greatest demand because meat brings in more income than lard. Females and males must be purchased from different suppliers to prevent genetic mutations in the offspring.

8. Be sure to periodically disinfect pigsties and equipment, destroy rodents, ensure regular vaccinations and examinations of offspring and adults by a veterinarian.

But you shouldn’t expect instant results, because a pig farm pays for itself in about 2-3 years. A combination of growing potatoes, corn, etc. is also successful. with raising pigs, because feed costs in this case are reduced; Organizing your own production of meat and sausage products and lard is also profitable (for example, you can organize a meat and lard smokehouse).

Poultry farming as a business

Poultry breeding as a business, especially chickens and turkeys, requires lower financial costs than, for example, pig farming, since birds are less demanding, but brings a stable income because poultry meat is very popular due to its low cost, dietary content, and low calorie content.

Before you start poultry farming, draw up a business plan that will help you calculate the possible profit and the period within which it will be received, as well as financial costs (for the purchase of young animals, feed, vaccinations, rent of territory, construction of premises, equipment, etc.) , existing risks.

How to become a poultry farmer from scratch?

Let's look at the main factors that need to be taken into account if you decide to start breeding birds.

1. The choice of breed depends on the focus of your farm. Chicken breeds are:

  • for meat production (Cornish, red whitetails);
  • for the production of eggs (Leghorn, Russian White, Pavlovsk, Minor);
  • for the production of eggs and meat (Loman Brown, Moscow black, Kuchinsky).

It is most profitable to purchase breeds of chickens that are adapted for the production of both eggs and meat.

2. Having your own garden reduces the cost of bird feed; in the spring and summer, chickens can and should be grazed in the garden.

3. To obtain high-quality domestic meat, special attention should be paid to bird feed. So, in addition to feed, the diet of chickens should include: dandelions, nettles, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, beets and other vegetables and herbs.

4. Rooms for chickens should be equipped with everything necessary: ​​feeders, drinkers, thermometers, instruments for measuring room humidity. Each breed has its own characteristics. Thus, egg-bearing breeds need ventilation, specially equipped perches, free space, good lighting (the room should be lit from 6 am to 9 pm, poor lighting is stressful for the bird and its egg production decreases or stops altogether) and thermal insulation.

5. Purchasing and equipping an incubator will help save on young animals; eggs laid by a laying hen are placed in an incubator, which must be equipped with a thermometer. If the incubator is the simplest and not automatic, the eggs are turned over manually (3 times a day). From 60 eggs placed in an incubator, you can get 45 or more chickens.

6. Purchased young animals should be vaccinated and given antibiotics to prevent possible diseases.

7. Regular disinfection of the premises should be carried out; if a disease is suspected, sick birds that are subject to slaughter should be isolated, a veterinarian should be invited to make a final diagnosis, and vaccination should be carried out.

Bird breeding is a profitable, and most importantly simple and affordable activity that does not require the construction of special premises or the lease of a large area of ​​land.

Birds can also be raised in old barns, which just need to be equipped with everything necessary; a personal plot or vegetable garden will suffice. Chicken breeding is the most popular type of poultry farming; chickens are unpretentious in feeding and care, have high egg production and, with proper care, produce valuable and in-demand meat.

Breeding cattle

So, what does it take to become a cattle farmer? Before you start breeding yourself, draw up a detailed business plan, which should include:

  • planned production volumes;
  • production part (costs for purchasing feed);
  • marketing part (advertising, product prices);
  • organizational part (information about suppliers, buyers, staff);
  • risk assessment;
  • financial part (sources of financial support, planned income).

  • breeding young animals for sale;
  • meat supply;
  • milk supply;
  • supply of meat and milk;
  • processing of animal skins;
  • production of dairy products (cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese);
  • production of meat products (sausage products).

The next stage will be to go through all the authorities, prepare documentation and obtain permits (for construction on sites, etc.).

One of the most important aspects of organizing livestock breeding as a business is purchase of livestock. Things to consider:

  • selection and purchase is best done with the participation of an experienced veterinarian or livestock breeder;
  • The main meat breeds of cows are: Hereford, Charolais, Limousin, Salers, Kalmyk, Kazakh Whitehead and others. Dairy breeds: black-and-white, red steppe, Yaroslavl, Kholmogory;
  • A healthy dairy cow, which will produce large quantities of milk, has a barrel-shaped belly, a long head, small horns, strong muscles, special attention should be paid to the cow's udder. The cow's udder should be large, the skin should be elastic, and the udder should be cup-shaped. Cows with round udders will produce little milk. When purchasing, be sure to milk the cow, and no hardening should be felt in the udder; it should be soft and pliable. A healthy cow has a clear look, no cough, a firm and light gait, a narrow hindquarters and a sagging back are considered faults;
  • read the animal's documents and vaccination record.

Cows must be provided with pastures, feed must be purchased, hay must be stored for the winter, regular disinfection of barns and vaccinations is mandatory, and it is also necessary to equip premises for slaughterhouses.

Beef and veal are expensive and high-quality meats that are in demand among consumers. To increase income from raising livestock, it is necessary to organize the processing of meat and milk and produce cheese, cottage cheese, kefir, sausages, sour cream, fermented baked milk, etc. for sale.

How to become a successful farmer?

In order to become a successful farmer, you should take into account that farming does not involve immediate profit; it requires significant financial costs. Livestock farming is one of the most risky types of business, since there is always a risk of epidemics and natural disasters that can lead to animal pestilence, farm losses and bankruptcy of farmers.

Keep in mind that producing quality products is only the first stage. The second stage is its implementation. You can find sales markets, or you can open your own stores, which will generate income, but will also require additional costs for renting premises, personnel, equipment, etc.

Farming in Russia receives government support and brings high income to businessmen, but also requires large investments and time, as well as drawing up a detailed business plan. The main branches of livestock farming in Russia and around the world are pig farming, poultry farming and cattle breeding, as their products are always in high demand, both in national and foreign markets.

A detailed guide on how to start a farming business. What documents are required and how much money do I need to invest? The answers are here.

Capital investments in peasant farms: from RUB 770,000

Payback period: 9-12 months

This article will discuss how to start a farm from scratch.

For those who are not yet “in the know,” then: a farm (also known as a peasant farm) is an enterprise that produces and sells agricultural products.

In the minds of many people, this definition may evoke associations with hundreds of hectares of fields, large numbers of livestock and other similar pictures.

However, any entrepreneur can organize a mini production. And running it is very profitable.

And an analysis of development trends shows that demand will only grow in the future.

What are the main activities involved in farming as a business?

Farming can be divided into several categories:

    Plant growing.

    A huge range of plants can be planted and sold in the Russian Federation.
    But several types are especially popular:

    1. various greens;
    2. cereals;
    3. vegetables;
    4. berries and fruits.
  1. Home farm (breeding).

    There are several popular directions:

    1. Cattle: cows and goats (for dairy and meat products), pigs, sheep (wool), rabbits;
    2. fish farming (trout, sturgeon, carp);
    3. birds (chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys).
  2. Additional areas of farming activity.

    This is one of the strengths of farming.
    Almost any type of activity allows for additional profit.
    This is beneficial, because you use your own raw materials for production, and do not buy:

    1. vegetables, berries, fruits can be frozen and sold;
    2. dairy products can be used for the production and sale of cottage cheese, sour cream, cheese, fermented baked milk;
    3. If the farm produces grain, you can make flour or bake bakery products from it.

What features does a farming business have?

To open and run a farming business profitably and legally, it is worth considering several distinctive features from other business options:

  • Farming is often a family affair.

    After all, only people related by family ties and over 16 years of age can be its members.
    But don’t think that you can only open a mini farm with such a small staff.
    It is allowed to attract external workers, but no more than 5.

  • Each member of the farm is obliged to take personal part in production.
  • A farm can be called a farm if it produces at least 70% of agricultural products.
  • The state supports farming in every possible way, so entrepreneurs can count on assistance in purchasing equipment and even receiving a plot of land for free.

How to open a farm: step-by-step instructions for collecting documents



Starting a farm is most often decided by the family.

But this does not mean that you will not need to register with the tax authorities!

Especially if you want to receive benefits or a plot of land from the state.

You can obtain the list of documents and the registration instructions themselves from the law that regulates farming (N 74-FZ of June 11, 2003).

Only after all the paperwork has been completed can you begin to organize the farm itself.

You need to start by finding a suitable piece of land, and then start solving other issues.

Analysis of the current situation in agriculture

Small businesses are now actively developing all over the world, and the Russian Federation is no exception.

We can especially highlight such areas as trade, services and private farming.

The latter demonstrates a high level of profitability and receives full support from the state.

If we evaluate the growth rate of agriculture as a whole, we can say that it is falling.

It has been replaced by technical progress and GMOs.

There are fewer and fewer able-bodied people left in the villages, and young people are not eager to devote themselves to farming.

But it is worth noting that in the wake of the craze for a healthy lifestyle, the boom in vegetarianism and raw food nutrition, the demand for farming began to grow again.

But mainly in mini production of homemade, absolutely environmentally friendly products.

This state of affairs provides excellent prospects for starting a farm.

There is no point in wasting time when competition is at a moderate level and farm demand begins to gradually increase.

How to open your own farm: choosing land for farming

The first thing that is important for an entrepreneur who decides to start a farm from scratch is a suitable plot of land.

It is not necessary to buy it at the start, especially since not everyone has the appropriate starting capital.

First, rent it.

If business activity progresses profitably, then it will be possible to return to the issue of purchasing in the future.

It is best to look for a farming area outside the city, away from any industrial facilities, major roads, or other farms.

But not at a great distance, so that farm products can be quickly and inexpensively transported to customers.

If you intend to plant plants or raise cattle, environmental friendliness and environmental safety are important.

Also, some features appear depending on the chosen area of ​​farming:

  • To raise cattle, the plot of land must be large, have sufficient lawn area for grazing, and a reservoir.
  • If the farm is beekeeping, there must be fields with flower stalks next to the apiary.
    Otherwise, you will have to plant them yourself.
  • The presence of a pond is also important if you will be raising domestic waterfowl.

What personnel should you hire for your peasant farm?


Farming is extremely difficult, especially for a novice entrepreneur.

Therefore, even if you have all the knowledge necessary for work, a businessman needs to hire a staff of workers.

For each area of ​​activity, the list of required positions will be different.

But any farming niche related to animals cannot do without a key person - a veterinarian.

He will be involved in preventing or minimizing the main risk - diseases and quarantine of animals.

The veterinarian also allows for childbirth to be carried out at the highest level, that is, to increase the farm's livestock population naturally without purchasing costs. So investing in the best veterinarian is beneficial for an entrepreneur.

The rest of the list of hired people will look like this:

  • An ordinary peasant farm mini-farm: butcher, livestock specialist, milkmaid, manager, cleaner.
  • Beekeeping: depends on the number of hives, usually there is 1 beekeeper for 10 of them.
  • Raising rabbits or poultry: a simple task, just hire 1-2 assistants.

    But this is only relevant for mini-farm production.
    For a business with a thousand headcount, the number of employees will be tens of times greater.

How to open a farm: points of sale of products

Homemade natural products obtained from farms are in demand by many buyers.

For example, the main product of livestock farming - meat - will be bought by restaurants, shops, and private individuals.

There is also a demand for by-products of production - wool, fluff. Although the demand for them, of course, is lower than for meat.

Also, public catering outlets and various trading companies will buy fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains.

It is worth considering that in this case, sales will occur in wholesale quantities, so the purchasing cost for customers will be lower than the usual retail price.

If for crop farming it is not difficult to trade in large quantities, then collecting sufficient volumes of honey is no longer so easy.

So if you decide to breed bees on the scale of a full-fledged business, a mini apiary will not be suitable for these purposes.

It will be necessary to purchase at least 50 bee colonies to produce the required volume of product.

Therefore, most often beekeeping is organized by the whole family - after all, it is almost impossible to maintain such a large apiary yourself.

But at the same time, farming is very profitable, the profitability level is at least 20-30%.

How much money do you need to start a farm?

An item that must be carefully calculated is the size of the investment.

After all, everyone will have their own list of expenses, and, accordingly, the amount.

Most of it will be spent on renting territory that will be suitable for your agriculture.

Also, if you choose livestock farming, a considerable amount of capital will be spent on purchasing the first batch of animals or insects (beekeeping).

One of the significant advantages is the one-time cost of starting a farm.

Almost any other business requires monthly injections of considerable amounts.

An entrepreneur invests money in a peasant farm once and then works for himself.

An approximate list of expenses for starting a peasant business looks like this:

What risks exist for farming?

Having your own farming business is definitely not the most risky activity, according to many.

However, in this area, in fact, there are many potential troubles that can ruin the economy and lead to losses.

The list for the specific selected area of ​​peasant farming will be different, but the general list includes:

  • weather conditions unfavorable for plant growth,
  • various natural disasters,
  • pest infestations,
  • diseases among livestock,
  • quarantine areas for animals.

How profitable is it to own a farm?

a working farmer tells us in real numbers:

How quickly will your peasant farm pay for itself?

The size of the investment from scratch will be determined by what particular sector of agriculture the entrepreneur has decided to engage in.

After all, opening from scratch will require a different list of equipment, number of personnel, type and cost of purchased consumables.

Products obtained in rural production are in demand among all segments of the population.

The fashion for an organic lifestyle that has emerged in recent years has only strengthened the growing demand for natural products.

So if the above step-by-step instructions on how to open a farm are followed by the entrepreneur point by point and he produces exceptionally high-quality goods, the peasant farm business will flourish!

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