Are you interested in making a side income with your own home based aquaponics system or perhaps pursuing a full blown commercial venture? If so, these 7 tips will help…
Before considering a pursuit in commercial aquaponics, it is important to understand that there are some major differences between a home based system and a commercial system. It is important to do your homework before heading in this direction. Although it may seem very alluring, using aquaponics for profit requires a lot of work and dedication.
Here are 7 tips that can help you get on your way to running a profitable system:
Networking…
It is important to communicate with others who are in the industry. Many of these people have probably encountered the same issues you will be facing and they will have valuable insight and information on how to properly run a business relying on aquaponics.
Potential buyers can give a lot of insight on what is in demand and about the quality of produce that is bought. Restaurant owners and chefs are a very viable market for same-day produce and many chefs enjoy having the ability to specify exactly what can be grown for them which can lead to a niche market for various herbs and salad blends.
As the demand for locally grown food rises, wholesalers and local grocery stores will be interested in making purchases from local producers if the price is right.
Customers…
If you are just starting out, your funds are probably limited and you may not have the resources to compete directly with larger and more experienced growers who can produce faster and cheaper produce.
If you want to gain a competitive advantage, you will have to make an effort to really get to know your customers inside out while also marketing your produce directly to them. It may be very difficult to compete on price, but if you offer organic, sustainable and local produce, many people will be willing to pay more for what you are offering.
It is also important to know the size of your market and whether or not it is big enough to sustain your business model. Do your research and marketing properly and educate yourself about potential customers so that you can have a better idea of what to provide and what to expect.
It is also a good idea to provide potential customers with information about the benefits of aquaponics.
Calculations…
If you decide to sell produce at a wholesale level, you will have to consider a few things. Ask yourself how you can reduce the price of your produce and while still making a profit. Will your aquaponics food supply be able to sustain a wholesale supply? You can also choose to sell directly to the end consumer, but this will mean that the volume you sell will be limited.
Off-Season Produce…
If you live in a climate that has seasonal produce, you could use aquaponics to focus on growing off-season crops. This can be very profitable, especially if you sell at local active farmers’ markets. The most difficult aspect of growing off-season crops is keeping up with the cost of heating.
CSA…
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes are a great way to begin a profitable aquaponics business. This year-round CSA model allows members to buy shares of your produce. They pay a pre-agreed amount of money for weekly to monthly produce boxes that you provide.
Flexibility…
If you decide a CSA model approach, it is important to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. You can do this by combining different types of aquaponics systems like media beds and vertical towers.
Deep Water Culture and nutrient film technique style systems allow for an easy harvest but they also limit the variety of plants you can grow. Stick with a system that is flexible and allows you to change crops depending on the market.
Know Yourself…
It is very important to understand your limitations. If you are relatively inexperienced, be sure you are not taking on too much. Expand your project once you have built up enough knowledge to understand how everything works, from your own aquaponics system to the business aspect as well. Be sure you understand your system. It is important to immediately be able to identify the health of your aquaponic fish and plants.
It is also important to not go into aquaponics purely for the pursuit of profit. If you want to grow healthy plants, your heart and mind have to be devoted to the farming and business aspects of aquaponics. You will have to be independent, stick to a routine, and be on call constantly. If you love aquaponics, this might be the perfect job for you! (Via RealFarmacy)
If you’d like even more information about setting up your own successful Aquaponics growing system click here. If you like this idea, be sure to share it with your friends and inspire someone you know. Anything becomes possible with just a little inspiration…
