Tuesday, July 7, 2015

By Jana Serrano


There are plenty of business ideas in the present day world. Many people are making good sums of money by engaging in cash crop farming. Christmas tree farm is something that can be started with little capital yet one stands to benefit handsomely. To get and sustain a long-term stream of good returns, proper management is required. Of course, to start out on this venture seedlings and land are basic requirements. Budgeting is crucial so that to keep costs at a minimum and profits at a maximum. Finally, after all has been said and done, the produce will be sold to consumers.

There is no need for a big chunk of land. One can choose to start on something small. Many trees can occupy a small space meaning that this can just be one of the crops in a piece of land. It can be used to diversify the crop mix. Land location is also a crucial factor. A place that has water is the best location.

After establishing the location from where the whole affair will be carried out, planting activity will take place. This can take a considerable amount of time depending on the number of seedlings that have to be planted. If a huge swath has to be covered with this crop, the best thing will be to contract labor.

Labor costs will not be much but it is wise to budget for this type of expenditure. Keeping this type of overhead as low as possible, means that it will be possible to maximize profits. The only labor intensive activities are planting, pruning, and harvesting. For the best part of the year, this crop will be growing on its own with little or no human involvement.

Passion has its rightful place when it comes to farming. However, it should not be forgotten that zeal has to be combined with a good dose of management competencies and entrepreneurial skills. Being organized is the key to success in any venture. Any cost incurred should be jotted down in a book dedicated to the project. Activities to be carried out should be planned for and documented for future reference.

When starting this type of farm, equipments, seedlings and other items have to be purchased. These are the initial capital. One should not be afraid to put in good capital because returns are guaranteed. In simple language, there is a market for this kind of produce. Demand comes from many quarters. Just with a little market research, one will find institutions and individuals who want to purchase this crop. It is not enough to find willing buyers. There is also need to find buyers who are willing to purchase above the desired price.

A starter needs to acquaint himself with the highly marketable Christmas trees and how to plant and raise these varieties. These are Scottish Pine, Balsam and Douglas fir. It is advisable to acquire any of the options just listed.

Trees to be planted can be purchased as seedlings or transplants. The cost of seedlings are low. Once grown, it will take 2 years for them to reach full height of 5-7 feet. After reaching that level, they are ready to be sold.

One of the most profitable cash crops is Christmas tree. The cost of entry into this farming activity is quite reasonable. With a piece of land, only a few items need to be purchased.




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