For decades, agriculture has been associated with the production of essential food crops. At present, agriculture above and beyond farming includes forestry, dairy, fruit cultivation, poultry, bee keeping, mushroom, arbitrary, etc. Today, processing, marketing, and distribution of crops and livestock products etc. are all acknowledged as part of current agriculture.Thus, agriculture could be referred to as the production, processing, promotion and distribution agricultural products. Agriculture plays a critical role in the entire life of a given economy. Agriculture is the backbone of the economic system of a given country. In addition to providing food and raw material, agriculture also provides employment opportunities to very large percentage of the population. Below are the importances of agriculture:
Source of Livelihood
The main source livelihood of many people is agriculture. Approximately 70 % of the people directly rely on agriculture as a mean of living. This high percentage in agriculture is as a result of none development of non-agricultural activities to absorb the fast-growing population. However, most people in developed countries do not engage in agriculture.
Contribution to National revenue
Agriculture is the main source of national income for most developing countries. However, for the developed countries, agriculture contributes a smaller per cent age to their national income.
Supply of Food as well as Fodder
Agricultural sector provides fodder for domestic animals. Cow provides people with milk which is a form of protective food. Moreover, livestock also meets people’s food requirements.
Significance to the International Trade
Agricultural products like sugar, tea, rice, spices, tobacco, coffee etc. constitute the major items of exports of countries that rely on agriculture. If there is smooth development practice of agriculture, imports are reduced while export increases considerably. This helps to reduce countries unfavorable balance of payments as well as saving foreign exchange. This amount may be well used to import other essential inputs, machinery, raw-material, and other infrastructure that is helpful for the support of country’s economic development.
Marketable Surplus
The growth of agricultural sector contributes to marketable surplus. Many people engage in manufacturing, mining as well as other non- agricultural sector as the nation develops. All these individuals rely on food production that they might meet from the nation’s marketable surplus. As agricultural sector development takes place, production increases and this leads to expansion of marketable surplus. This may be exported to other nations.
Source of Raw Material
The main source of raw materials to major industries such as cotton and jute fabric, sugar, tobacco, edible as well as non-edible oils is agriculture. Moreover, many other industries such as processing of fruits as well as vegetables and rice husking get their raw material mainly from agriculture.
Significance in Transport
Bulks of agricultural products are transported by railways and roadways from farm to factories. Mostly, internal trade is in agricultural products. Moreover, the revenue of the government, to a larger extent, relies on the success of agricultural sector.
Foreign Exchange Resources
The nation’s export trade depends largely on agricultural sector. For example, agricultural commodities such as jute, tobacco, spices, oilseeds, raw cotton, tea as well as coffee accounts for approximately 18 % of the entire value of exports of a country. This demonstrates that agriculture products also continue to be important source of earning a country foreign exchange.
Great Employment Opportunities
Construction of irrigation schemes, drainage system as well as other such activities in the agricultural sector is important as it provides larger employment opportunities. Agriculture sector provides more employment opportunities to the labor force.
Top 10 Tips to Turn a 1-Acre Farm into a Profitable Business
Grow gourmet or medicinal mushrooms.
Turn a field into a tourist campsite.
Farm snails as an export crop.
Use a field for a weekend swap meet.
Start a bed and breakfast.
Rent your barn for gatherings or meetings.
Rent your field to metal detecting clubs.
Raise tilapia or other fish.
Create fishing lakes for paying customers.
Raise worms to sell as bait.
Make Money From Your Small Farm | Source
How to Make Money From a Small Farm or Plot of Land
Many people think farmers have enviable lives. If you're a farmer, however, you may think otherwise. You work non-stop for very little money. Sometimes you feel like a prisoner to your buyers, and occasionally you wonder how much longer you can keep going. The weather seems to be against you, and you feel like you are working for nothing.
Though small farmers believe their lives are far from ideal, I can't think of any farmer who would switch to a life in the city. So how do you get the best of both worlds? How can you maximize profit from your land, small farm or homestead? You don't have to stop at growing crops. Through diversification and thinking like an entrepreneur, you can achieve a much higher yield from your farm while keeping the lifestyle you love.
Here are 27 ideas for you to consider for making the most of your farm. Of course, some of these ideas will be more practical than others depending on your region, type of farm, etc.
There are also restrictions, both federal and state, that need to be looked into before beginning some of these activities. That said, farmers are a determined breed. With a bit of planning, you can turn your small farm into a money maker and begin enjoying your life on your homestead once again.
You are no longer just a farmer, you are an entrepreneur.
- Grow Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
Mushrooms for sale / / CC-BY-SA-2.0 | Source
Growing mushrooms can be very lucrative. However, I recommend that you opt for specialist types of mushrooms if you're looking into cultivation. There is more money to be made from growing ones for medicinal use or the restaurant market. Trying to compete with the supermarket on button mushrooms wouldn't be an option unless your pricing or quality is better. Depending on the type of mushroom you choose to grow, you could harvest some in just 15 weeks, with a yield of up to 4 lbs. per square foot.
Other Tips:
Prior to harvest, contact local restaurants and take orders from them for a quick sale.
Get a stall at a farmer's market to grow your reach and your sales.
Educate yourself on the best practices for mushroom growing.
Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
If your knowledge of mushrooms is only eating them on a pizza, this is an interesting and comprehensive look into the field of mushroom cultivation. This is my 'go-to book' for anything that has to do with growing mushrooms. It is packed with information that will help a novice, and it will also answer questions of more experienced growers.
This book is targeted at those who wish to grow mushrooms for commercial reasons, even on a small scale. The author Paul Stamets, a mycologist with over 20 years of experience, has many books, awards, and patents, and is considered the leading authority in the US on mycology.
Buy Now
- Turn Your Field Into a Campsite
Open a Campsite | Source
Especially if you live close to an urban area, many people are always looking to find their next great outdoor vacation.
To turn your land (or part of it) into a campsite,
you'll need to construct a simple shower and toilet unit for your campers. Some campsites are quite basic and don't provide electrical outlets while others have installed electricity for the campers to use. If your farm is near a tourist area, this is definitely one to consider. The area or field you choose should also be level and dry, ensuring that campers can correctly erect their tents. You can start small and put any profits into improvement of the hectares and sectors.
