Starting a business in the form of a greenhouse business is far from a new idea. However, with a competent organization, a “green” business can bring a very good income. How to start a greenhouse business and how to overcome the obstacles that arise in the way of a novice entrepreneur? We will talk about this and much more in this article.

Let's weigh the pros and cons

In greenhouses, greens and vegetables grow rapidly, in some regions they harvest 3-4 crops per year. Therefore, such a business, in fact, cannot be unprofitable. However, in addition to the advantages, it also has a number of disadvantages. Let's look at both in the table.

Benefits of greenhouse management	Business Disadvantages
Greenhouse business is simple. Greenhouses are being built quickly. Starting a business can be done in a couple of months	It is very problematic to sell grown products, therefore, a constant search for consumers and markets is required.
Opportunity to receive subsidies from the state. For example, the administration of the Krasnodar Territory provides subsidies for starting a business in the field of agriculture in the amount of up to 50%	Seasonal prices and high competition require careful study of the local market
The business can be established on a small area required for greenhouses. Sometimes 2-3 acres is enough. Savings on rent if you have your own land or rent it far from the city	Decent monthly costs for electricity, water, as well as their installation and connection
Fast payback (from 1 to 2 years) distinguishes any greenhouse business

Where to begin?

For a novice entrepreneur, an approximate picture or action plan that contributes to the success of the greenhouse business is extremely important. It is important to think over many points related to the organization of greenhouse management, but first of all, attention should be paid to solving three primary issues:

1. What to grow? Given the favorable weather conditions in a small number of regions, price forecasts, it is advisable to grow vegetables and herbs. These plants are very unpretentious, do not require much care, any greenhouse business will benefit from them. Flowers are the choice of many professionals. Exotic plants and flowers are the most profitable direction in the greenhouse business. But always associated with risk and high costs. It is recommended for a beginner who is a greenhouse beginner to practice on greens (onions, lettuce, parsley).
2. To whom to sell? This is a question that must be resolved before building or buying a greenhouse. Before starting all work, it is important to establish contacts with buyers. The more guaranteed points of sale for products you have, the better, because if one wholesale buyer refuses to purchase what is grown, then there will be another.
3. What type of greenhouse to put: summer or winter? What materials and how much to buy? Many choose quick-gathering greenhouses. More suited specifically for business but they are not cheap. Some start-up entrepreneurs build from improvised materials, and then update and equip the farm as they earn. Regardless of how much you are going to invest, it is advisable to plan the budget in advance.

Business specifics

There are three sectors in the greenhouse business: growing vegetables, flowers and herbs; for each direction there are greenhouses. According to experts, the maximum income from them can be obtained in a fairly hot climate, it is desirable that the winter temperature is not lower than -5 degrees. A frosty winter is a serious risk, in order to avoid it, you will have to invest additionally in the purchase of materials for insulation. The losses from the cold winter will be many times greater than the cost of transporting products to the northern regions.

A novice entrepreneur will have to choose a direction: seasonal or permanent greenhouse business. Where to start planning? If you are going to be engaged in seasonal cultivation of plants, then the usual permanent business is based on special industrial premises with protected ground, with year-round heating and lighting.

It is almost impossible to calculate all expenses and expected income in your mind, think over financial risks, and other significant issues without a business plan. It helps to identify and solve many problems at the stage of preparation. How to develop a business plan for a greenhouse complex?

Business plan sections

A greenhouse business plan may include several sections. It takes into account natural and climatic conditions, all aspects of a particular business:

• Activity overview or resume.
• Description of the business.
• Description of production and services.
• Market and industry analysis.
• production plan and
• Sales plan.
• Financial and investment plan.

What to write about in a business plan?

We give a detailed justification of the project in the table.

Activity overview or resume	The business plan provides for the opening of a greenhouse facility that will grow, harvest and then sell agricultural products (greens, vegetables or flowers, etc.). IP was chosen as the organizational and legal form. The advantage of this form is simplified accounting, ease of settlements with counterparties and tax reduction. The project is assessed as successful, as there is a fairly high demand for agricultural products in the region
Business Description	In this section, it is recommended to describe in detail all the objects that will be included in the greenhouse industry. The business plan must contain a description and diagrams of future building structures and planned engineering and technological communications. It is necessary to calculate the needs for heating, gas, water. For example, it is planned to open a greenhouse facility of five greenhouses, the total area of ​​​​which is 600 m 2, the size of the greenhouse is 20 x 6 m
Description of products and services	A greenhouse business is created to grow agricultural products and sell them to customers wholesale and retail. At the preparatory stage, it is worth deciding on the future assortment that will be presented in the greenhouse. Most often it is greens and vegetables. At this stage, you have to choose a method of cultivation, traditional or innovative, such as hydroponics. When choosing an assortment, it is important to take into account the demand and the general specifics of this industry in your region, for this we are working on the following section
Market and industry analysis	A greenhouse business plan, as a rule, contains a detailed description and features of the regional (regional, district) greenhouse market. In addition, it is extremely important for the success of the whole business to find potential wholesale buyers, evaluate sales opportunities, and report on working with wholesalers. The business plan indicates not only future buyers, but also their planned purchase volumes
Production plan and organizational plan	Acquisition or lease of land. Construction of greenhouses. Carrying out all necessary communications. Recruitment if necessary
Sales plan	Before starting all activities for organizing a greenhouse business, it is necessary to draw up a marketing plan. It is necessary to think over what the circle of buyers will be, and, if possible, establish relations with agricultural bases, shops, supermarkets, food markets and other contractors
Financial and investment plan	Is the greenhouse business profitable? A financial plan will help answer this question. To calculate the amount of profit and the break-even point, it is necessary to keep a record of future income and expenses, understand the features of tax accounting and other indicators

Financial plan

The basis of the financial plan is the forecasting of future income and expenses; without this, the greenhouse business cannot become successful. In addition, the entrepreneur will have to independently maintain these articles, calculate the planned and actual profit, net profit, break-even point and other indicators. To create a plan and keep records, it will be convenient to divide all expenses into one-time, fixed and variable:

• One-time costs are expenses that will have to be incurred once, as a rule, at the initial stage (purchase of greenhouses, cars, plumbing, electricity, etc.).
• Fixed costs are usually monthly expenses paid by a businessman in an equal amount (land rent, wages to employees, water supply, electricity).
• Variable costs - expenses that arise periodically in different amounts (repair of greenhouses, purchase of fertilizers, fuel and lubricants (fuel) for the delivery of products).

Based on detailed information about the costs, we can calculate the total amount of expenses for each month and for the whole year. A table will help simplify the work, in which we select columns for each month and columns for types of expenses.

It is significant that in a number of regions they receive 2-3 crops per year, and in some regions 4 crops per greenhouse. The business plan allows you to easily calculate the planned income. To do this, it is important to know market prices and crop volumes per square meter. Income will appear only after the sale of the ripe crop and depend on the type of product, its price in the market.

As an example, let's choose a greenhouse business on greenery. Let's make an approximate calculation for green onions. In the supermarket, a bunch of onions costs up to 30 rubles in the spring, about the same cost is 1 kg of onions at the base. From 100 to 120 bulbs are planned to be planted in a greenhouse per 1 m2. You can get from 100 to 120 bunches of onions from 1 m 2. So, 1 m 2 of a greenhouse will bring up to 3000 rubles. Subtract expenses from income and get profit. Suppose we have already incurred one-time costs. The remaining expenses for heating and watering the greenhouse and others, which amounted to 2,500 rubles per 1 m2:

3000 - 500 = 2500 rubles

We multiply the profit from 1 m 2 by the total area of ​​150 m 2:

2500 × 150 = 375 thousand rubles

After deducting the amount of taxes, we get a net profit, which will show how successful the greenhouse business is, whether it is profitable to invest your money, time and effort in it. Thus, the payback of a greenhouse business for growing greenery, with the right calculation, can be several months. The constant search for customers will allow the entrepreneur to make a profit in the first year of operation, so the profitability of the greenhouse business is quite acceptable.

Investment plan

The investment plan contains a scheme of investments or investments for all stages of business development, the amount of initial capital. The first investment will be a greenhouse. The businessman receives project documentation for it and all external networks. It is important to know how much each piece of equipment cost. It is necessary to plan funds for the construction of greenhouses, connection to networks (electricity, water supply), purchase of equipment and planting material. These investments are included in the ongoing costs that the businessman bears until the first profit from the greenhouses is received.

What greenhouse to choose?

Before purchasing a greenhouse, you have to decide on its type. The type of greenhouse depends on climatic conditions, assortment and specifics of the economy:

• Summer-lightweight greenhouses are simple and set up in a couple of hours. This type of building is built in a few hours. The summer version of greenhouses is used for the most part as protection against prolonged rains or pests.
• Winter-type greenhouses, which transmit sunlight well, will help create and maintain the necessary microclimate. Therefore, they are more suitable for growing any plants, including flowers.

Greenhouse materials

Creating a temperature regime suitable for plants is costly. A cheap greenhouse will not be able to maintain the desired temperature for a long time. It is important to consider the choice of material that will be used in its construction. Today, the following types of materials are popular:

• Glass. For a very long time, the greenhouse business at home was built on one of the main materials in this business - glass. It was used to create insulated greenhouses that could be successfully operated until late autumn. Glass transmits up to 90% of light. But for the cold winter months, it is not suitable, regardless of whether additional insulation is used. Glass has such a disadvantage as fragility, low temperatures can destroy it. And the cost of glazing will be rather big. In this regard, this material is suitable for temporary use.
• Polyethylene is a material used for a long time in many types of greenhouses. Its plus is its low price compared to other materials. But a significant drawback is the small throughput. Many plants will need additional light sources. The greenhouse will have to be opened in acceptable weather so that sunlight can reach the plants. The material is characterized by low strength and low heat capacity, therefore it is suitable exclusively for summer greenhouses.
• Home greenhouse business is unimaginable without polycarbonate. It is a product of modern technology, 250 times stronger and 8 times lighter than glass. Its heat capacity is several times higher than that of glass and polyethylene. Only polycarbonate is the ideal material for winter greenhouses. To ensure the greatest penetration of light allows the roof of the greenhouse made of polycarbonate with a thickness of not more than 9 mm. The walls can be thicker. When choosing a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is important to know that it comes in two types: monolithic and cellular. Cellular polycarbonate has more advantages, as it is much more transparent and warmer than monolithic. For greenhouse business, cellular polycarbonate is recommended.

Conclusion

Greenhouse farming is a business that must constantly develop and improve. High competition in industries reduces the rate of profit. New technologies are emerging, but at the same time, the cost of equipment is growing. Therefore, a businessman must be able not only to sell what he has grown, but to navigate the market, use innovations and expand the business.

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Growing greenery is a business that you can do on your own site by building a greenhouse on it. It does not promise super profits, but it is perfect as a part-time job.

1. PROJECT SUMMARY

The purpose of the project is the organization of a greenhouse for growing greenery for its implementation in the Rostov region. The main target audience is concentrated in Rostov-on-Don. The target audience are small wholesale buyers who sell their products among the city's population aged 20 to 50 years with different income levels.

The growing demand for fresh vegetables and herbs, the fashion for healthy eating and state support for agriculture have led to the active development of the greenhouse business. In the Russian greenhouse industry, it is profitable to grow fresh herbs for sale - they are more unpretentious than vegetables and do not require constant care. According to market research, the need for salad greens increases by 10% every year.

Thus, the idea of ​​organizing a greenhouse for growing greenery is relevant. This business has the following benefits:

Preferential conditions for doing business related to agriculture;

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For the implementation of the project, a private land plot with a total area of ​​50 sq.m. is used. The personal household plot is located in the Rostov region, 25 km from the enterprise is the city of Rostov-on-Don.

The initial investment is 182,000 rubles. Investment costs are directed to the construction and equipment of greenhouses, advertising promotion, the formation of a working capital fund until the project reaches payback. The bulk of the required investment, 68%, falls on the construction and equipment of greenhouses. Own funds will be used to implement the project.

The financial calculations cover the two-year period of the project's operation. It is anticipated that after this time, business expansion will be required. In accordance with the calculations, the initial investment will pay off in the ninth month of operation. Based on the results of the first year of operation, a net profit of 513,800 rubles and a return on sales of 47.8% are forecasted.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY AND COMPANY

The greenhouse business in Russia is a promising area, which is explained by the growing demand for fresh vegetables and herbs, the fashion for healthy eating, and the state priority for the development of agriculture in the country. Today, the state is increasingly focusing on the development of the industry, helping beginners and existing farmers, allocating land at preferential rates, subsidizing interest rates on loans and providing grants for the development of greenhouses. However, the main problem hindering the development of the industry is high utility tariffs.

At present, the greenhouse business continues to develop rapidly, increasing the production of vegetables and herbs in domestic greenhouses through the construction of new greenhouses and the modernization of old production facilities. As a result, the gross harvest of greenhouse vegetables and herbs has increased by 17.7% over the past two years. Despite this, the need of Russians for protected ground products produced in the country is satisfied only by 26%. About 600,000 tons of vegetables are harvested from greenhouses in Russia, with a need of 3 million tons. And this demand is increasing by 10-15% annually.

In the Russian greenhouse business, it is profitable to grow fresh herbs for sale. These products do not require as much light and heat as vegetables, they are more unpretentious and do not require constant care. Practice shows that growing greens is 5 times more profitable than vegetables.

In addition, according to marketing research, the need for people to include greens of various varieties in their diet increases by 10% every year, which creates a significant demand for these products among consumers.

Thus, the cultivation of greenhouse greens is a promising line of business. The peculiarity of greenhouse cultivation of greenery lies in the possibility of year-round production, under any climatic conditions. Table 1 summarizes the key advantages and disadvantages of growing greenhouse greens to consider when planning a business. With the right development, a business can bring a stable and high income.

Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages of greenhouse cultivation of greenery

Advantages

Flaws

The greens grow quickly, which allows you to take several crops a year and quickly earn income; High and regular demand for products, which allows finding distribution channels; Both wholesale and retail sales are possible; Simple business organization; Greens are unpretentious in care and do not require much attention; Small starting capital; Growing greens does not require specialized knowledge; Possibility to organize a business at home; Fast payback

High level of competition in the market; The market is seasonal; Short shelf life of products and quick loss of presentation; - to grow greenery all year round, an expensive greenhouse is required; It is impossible to sell products through stores without obtaining permits; Low price for products

When organizing a greenhouse business, it should be borne in mind that this is profitable only if production is located in the southern or central regions of the country. It is more profitable to pay for the transportation of products to the northern territories than to engage in the greenhouse business there, paying significant heating costs.

Thus, we can talk about the attractiveness of this business. Growing a greenhouse business can become a profitable and highly profitable business. A detailed business plan for growing greens in a greenhouse will help you avoid problems when starting your own business.

3. DESCRIPTION OF GREEN GREEN PRODUCTS

Leafy vegetables include lettuce, parsley, dill, onion, cilantro, basil, garlic, and a number of other crops. Lettuce, onion and dill are in the greatest demand. The most profitable type of greens for growing is onions, as it is an unpretentious and fast-growing crop. However, during its implementation, it may be difficult to find buyers, since many grow onions. The most cost-effective greens - lettuce. Recently, the cultivation of arugula is gaining popularity.

It is recommended to start with growing several crops and gradually expand the range. When selecting crops for cultivation, the following parameters should be taken into account: the growing season, the required area for sowing, greenhouse growing conditions, endurance, demand, price. Table 2 presents a comparative description of various types of greens, which will help to correctly form an assortment.

Table 2. Characteristics of the types of greens for cultivation

Types of greenery	greenhouse cultivation	growing season		Endurance	Required area	Long term storage
Parsley

This project involves the cultivation of the following types of greens: parsley, dill, lettuce, onion. All products comply with the requirements of GOSTs (GOST R 55904-2013, GOST 32856-2014, GOST 33985-2016 and GOST R 55652-2013, respectively). As packaging for fresh products, transparent plastic containers are used, as well as cone bags, which improve the presentation of products and simplify transportation. Packing for 100-150 gr. It is also planned to produce products in the form of assorted sets, which include at least two types of greens.

Products are sold at room temperature, chilled and are intended for sale in retail and wholesale trade networks, in public catering establishments and for industrial processing.

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Small-scale wholesale prices for greens vary between 50-150 rubles. per kilogram. It should be borne in mind that the price of greens fluctuates depending on the season. On average, the price is 80 rubles. per kilogram at retail prices of 200 rubles. per kilogram.

4. SALES AND MARKETING OF THE GREEN GROWING BUSINESS

The peculiarity of the greenhouse growing business is that the target audience is not the end consumer, but wholesale buyers, product distributors, represented mainly by various vegetable and food stores. At the same time, the advertising strategy must take into account the requirements of the end user in order to plan production and forecast sales. Portrait of the final consumer of products: city population aged 20 to 50 years with different income levels; gender and occupation as such do not play a role.

Thus, the marketing policy of the project covers both the assessment of end users and methods of promotion among flower distributors. Advertising is aimed at establishing long-term cooperation and developing a client base.

The most difficult task in the greenhouse business is finding a sales market. Greens are a perishable commodity, so a well-functioning system of distribution channels and a competent marketing strategy are needed. In order to form sales channels, a novice entrepreneur should:

Analyze the competitive environment, assess the level of demand for products, develop their competitive advantages;

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Conduct a price analysis of the market and offer more favorable conditions as a supplier: lower cost, flexible system of discounts for wholesale buyers, guarantees, etc.;

Issue a catalog of finished products on paper and on the Internet. Form a list of potential buyers and send out commercial offers.

Sales channels for fresh herbs can be:

retail grocery stores with a wide range of products;

network grocery networks;

vegetable bases;

farm shops that specialize in the sale of organic products made in Russia;

establishments of the HoReCa segment - restaurants and cafes.

Promising sales markets include online stores, which have recently been gaining popularity and offer customers fresh, farm products. To develop this sales market, you can team up with vegetable cooperatives presented on Internet sites. In the future, with proper advertising of their products, it is possible to open their own outlet.

Each distribution channel has its own advantages and disadvantages, which relate to the final cost of greenery, the volume of batches sold, the terms of cooperation, etc. In order to establish distribution channels and avoid losses from overproduction, it is necessary to create a stable sales network several months before harvest. It should be noted that the search for new customers and the development of sales markets is an ongoing process, so a sales specialist is needed to carry out this function. His responsibilities will include attracting clients and working with them, as well as advertising support for the project and analyzing the effectiveness of using the advertising budget.

Promotion is carried out in various ways. The advertising budget is 30,000 rubles and consists of the following types of costs:

Creation of a product catalog (commercial offer) and printing of advertising material (including business cards) - 10,000;

Direct marketing is a way to increase sales by sending sales letters to potential customers. Effective direct marketing is ensured by narrowing the target audience and a well-composed mailing that may interest the client. The same group of expenses includes the costs of promotion on the Internet, the implementation of call-promotion and transportation costs - 20,000 rubles.

Participation in various thematic fairs and business events is also expected.

The competitiveness of the project is ensured by the high quality of products. In all promotional activities, attention is focused on the merits of purchasing goods from a domestic manufacturer (savings in transportation costs, lower prices, reduced risk of supply disruption, guarantees, a flexible system of discounts, high product quality, which is achieved by reducing delivery times).

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When planning the sales volume, production capacity should be taken into account, since the maximum production volume depends on the area of ​​greenhouses, growing conditions, green varieties, etc.

The maximum production volume is calculated based on the area of ​​greenhouses - 50 square meters. m., the average ripening period is 30 days and the average yield of lettuce crops is up to 4 kg per 1 sq. m. In total, the annual yield of the greenhouse will be about 2400 kg per year, and 200 kg per month. This indicator should be guided by when planning the volume of sales.

How much can you earn growing greens? With an established system of marketing products and an average retail price of 200 rubles. sales volume will be 40,000 rubles per month. In winter, when the price of greens increases significantly, monthly income can double.

5. PRODUCTION PLAN OF THE FARM FOR GREEN GROWING

How to open a greenery growing business from scratch? The project organization algorithm involves the following steps:

Register a business as an LLC or sole proprietorship;

Decide on the place and technology of growing greens;

Purchase specialized equipment;

Hire skilled workers;

Plant the seed.

Let's dwell on each point in more detail.

Organizing a greenery business includes the following steps:

1) Registration in state bodies. This project focuses on the cultivation of greenery and positions itself as a personal household plot. Its activities are not taxed and do not require registration. This option is suitable for a small production that plans to cooperate with small distributors.

The company is located on a private plot of 50 sq. meters, located in the Rostov region. The city of Rostov-on-Don is located 25 km from the enterprise. Because the area of ​​the site does not exceed 2 hectares, for organizing a business it is enough to get only a certificate from the local administration that this site belongs to you and is used for growing greenery. With small volumes of production, it is not necessary to register as an entrepreneur: in this case, you sell the products yourself or sell them to resellers at wholesale prices. If in the future it is planned to sell products through grocery stores or vegetable bases, business registration will be required.

2) Production technology. The production technology provides for the creation of two greenhouses (total area - 50 square meters), the use of irrigation equipment. The process of planting seedlings, some care operations, as well as harvesting is carried out manually. The production cycle should be planned based on the fact that the first harvest is expected 30-40 days after transplanting.

There are different technologies for growing greens in a greenhouse:

Hydroponics (growing plants without soil in liquid media using fertilizers). The cost of 1 hydroponics installation is about 1500 rubles. for one installation;

- “intermediate” (peat, hydroponics and ordinary soil are used). This method is 3 times more expensive than conventional hydroponics.

There are also various types of soils that can be used in conjunction with hydroponics. Each soil has its own characteristics (Table 3).

Table 3. Types of soil for greenhouse cultivation of greenery

Soil type			Price
	no unpleasant smell, plants do not rot, low price	require care (need to be filled with hot water and placed in a container).	from 300 rub. per 1 cubic meter
	high availability	needs the introduction of various fertilizers and nutrients.	from 700 rubles per 1 cubic meter
Expanded clay	Retains moisture, lightweight, affordable price	does not contain nutrients, therefore it is necessary to fertilize regularly	from 1400 rub. per 1 cubic meter
	practical economical option, good air permeability	heavy and does not retain moisture.	from 50 rub. per kg
coconut flakes	environmentally friendly, durable, universal primer	high price.	from 100 rub. per kg
Hydrogel	retains moisture for a long time, passes water, does not harm plants	high price	from 1500 rub. per kg

The choice of soil depends on many factors, including the characteristics of growing crops from which the assortment is formed. Features of growing selected types of greenery are shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Features of growing various types of greenery

Kind of greenery	Growing features
After germination, it takes about 25-30 days to harvest. Watering needs plentiful and frequent, and after cutting, top dressing with fertilizers is required. When cloudy, additional illumination is needed, in winter we also illuminate with fitolamps (3-4 hours)
	Seeds germinate 2-3 weeks, harvest 40-50 days after germination Short shelf life, requires additional lighting in winter
	Seedlings for 5-7 days; harvesting - in 10-12 days. Unpretentious. After cutting the leaves, you need top dressing
	Harvest in 25-30 days It does not require special conditions and special care, but to increase the yield, onions need to be regularly watered and fed with fertilizers.

3) Purchase of equipment. Another important question when implementing a business project is how to choose a greenhouse for growing greens? The construction of a greenhouse is a very important stage in the organization of this business. The quality of the manufactured products, and hence the success of the business, depends by 60-70% on how well and technologically competently the greenhouse will be designed.

For growing greenery at home all year round, capital structures on a solid foundation are suitable. The most efficient greenhouse system for growing greenery is a thermos greenhouse. This design, due to the double coating and the solar collector, allows you to do without heating. Greenhouses with a wooden frame, coating (roof - polycarbonate, walls - thick film) with a total area of ​​50 sq.m. will cost, on average, 60-70 thousand rubles.

The volume of investments required to create greenhouses is 122,000 rubles. Of these, 80,000 rubles. - funds for the construction of greenhouses, and 42,000 rubles. - purchase of greenhouse equipment, the list of which is given in table 5.

Industrial greenhouses most often use hydroponic technology. They can significantly save space and reduce the cost of finished products. Plants are grown in liquid nutrient solutions, without the use of soil. The cost of a hydroponics kit for a greenhouse is about 70,000 rubles. For soil cultivation, greenhouses must be equipped with a drip irrigation system. The cost of an automatic drip irrigation system for greenhouses with an area of ​​150 sq.m. - 12,000 rubles.

Lighting for greenhouses is provided by LED lamps, which have spectral characteristics that are completely identical to sunlight. Thanks to this, the normal process of photosynthesis in plants is ensured. In addition, LED lamps save up to 60% of electricity and do not heat up.

Table 5. List of farm equipment

The cost also includes the purchase of seeds, but they can be grown on their own, due to which it will be possible to save. It is also necessary to provide for the cost of biofertilizers - this item of expenditure will amount to 7,000 rubles.

4) Search for distribution channels for products. A greengrowing business will only generate consistent profits throughout the year if marketing channels are established. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the stage of finding customers and establishing commercial cooperation. Whole sale of greenery is the best option for organizing sales. The basis of successful sales is a competent pricing policy and a flexible system of working with clients.

5) Selection of personnel. At the first stages of work, the entrepreneur can perform all the actions on his own. In the future, he will need the help of a sales representative who will look for new distribution channels, as well as an assistant working in the greenhouse.

6. ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN

In the first year of work, it is planned that the entrepreneur will independently organize the production process. It is allowed to involve third-party assistants at certain stages (for example, during a period of high sales).

7. FINANCIAL PLAN

The financial plan takes into account all income and expenses of the greenhouse industry, the planning horizon is 2 years. It is planned that after this period, expansion of the business will be required.

To launch the project, it is necessary to calculate the amount of initial investment, which includes: the cost of purchasing equipment, advertising promotion on the market, the formation of working capital, which will cover the losses of the initial periods.

The initial investment for a greenhouse for growing greens is 182,000 rubles. Of these, 68% falls on the construction and equipment of greenhouses, advertising - 16%, and working capital - 16%. The project is financed by equity. The main items of investment costs are shown in Table 6.

Table 6. Investment costs

Variable costs consist of the capacity spent on irrigation, heating, as well as consumables (seedlings, fertilizers, etc.). In this case, utility costs are classified as variable. It is also necessary to calculate the cost of production. Practice shows that the cost of growing greens is 10-60 rubles (depending on the crop). To simplify financial calculations, the amount of variable costs is calculated as the average cost of growing greens - 25 rubles.

Fixed costs consist of advertising costs, depreciation and biofertilizer costs. Lack of staff allows you to eliminate staff costs. The amount of depreciation is determined by the straight-line method, based on the useful life of fixed assets in 3 years.

Table 7. Monthly expenses

Thus, fixed monthly expenses were determined in the amount of 17,000 rubles.

8. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The payback period of the project with an initial investment of 202,000 rubles is 10 months. The net monthly profit of the project upon reaching the planned sales volumes will be 18,000 rubles. It is planned to reach the planned sales volume in the fifth month of operation. Return on sales in the first year of operation - 47.8%. High profitability is achieved due to the high margin on products. The annual volume of net profit for the first year of implementation will be 245,575 rubles.

9. POSSIBLE RISKS

To assess the risk component of the project for greenhouse cultivation of roses, it is necessary to analyze external and internal factors. External factors include threats related to the economic situation in the country, markets. To internal - the effectiveness of the management of the organization.

What will people buy in any crisis? The answer is simple - food. And if almost everyone starts saving on delicacies sooner or later, then vegetables, fruits and greens are well sold all year round. That is why greenhouse farming as a business — profitable and promising undertaking. Absolutely anyone can do it, including those far from agriculture. The main thing is the ability to effectively build a business, solve emerging problems and not be lazy.

Who can do this kind of business

There are no restrictions - it can be anyone. But the agricultural and greenhouse business has its own nuances. You must understand that you will have to devote a lot of time to plants or hire specially trained people.

A small greenhouse can be built even in the yard

In the case of equipping a “home” greenhouse, it is necessary:

1. Ventilate your greenhouse at least once a day to avoid overheating and effectively remove excess moisture.
2. Take temperature and humidity measurements regularly to adjust fertilization and watering.
3. Make sure that the structure is not damaged by wind, hail, snow in winter.
4. Spray plants regularly against pests and diseases.
5. Weed the earth from weeds, thin out plants.
6. Handle harvesting and marketing.

Note: the ideal option is the location of the greenhouse near the house. The business of growing vegetables and herbs is more suitable for residents of the private sector than for residents of the metropolis.

Where is it profitable to engage in greenhouse farming

The answer is simple - where the cost of its maintenance will be minimal. In the southern and western regions of Russia, the temperature is quite high - this allows you to grow vegetables and fruits without creating a full-fledged heating system. A long southern daylight hours will save on lighting and speed up the process of plant growth.

It has been proven that it is easier to bring vegetables from the south than to create the necessary conditions for growing and spend resources on heating greenhouses. It is possible to grow vegetables in Siberia, but their cost will be much higher than imported ones. But the composition of the soil practically does not affect the greenhouse business.

Keep in mind that you cannot choose a site in an open field for a greenhouse - you will need to supply electricity to it, provide high-quality entrances.

Organization of heating and drip irrigation in the greenhouse

A greenhouse as a business pays for itself well on its own summer cottage or residential area. Why? There are several reasons:

1. You will not need to pay rent.
2. You will be constantly present near the greenhouse.
3. You can connect the greenhouse to the mains.
4. The entrances to your house are probably already established.
5. A home business is easier to run than an industrial one.

Another important reason is the possibility of breaking the contract with the landlord. Situations often arise when the owner of the land, seeing that a new business is successfully operating on his site, begins to demand an increase in the amount of rent or refuses to lease the land at all, deciding to “take over” the business for himself. This issue is regulated by article No. 46 of the Land Code of the Russian Federation. The tenant may legally terminate or change the terms of the agreement due to:

1. Decrease (actual or apparent) level of soil fertility.
2. Damage to the land, its irrational use.
3. Environmental degradation.
4. Lack of recultivation or actions aimed at soil protection.

That is, in fact, the landlord can almost always freely terminate the contract. Therefore, either create a greenhouse on your land, or work with those who are guaranteed not to take your land away after a couple of years of successful work.

How to build a greenhouse

There are two options here:

1. Order a ready-made greenhouse according to the given dimensions. This option is the fastest and easiest - a trained team will assemble even a large structure in 3-4 days and you can start growing.
2. Assemble the greenhouse yourself. This option will cost you less, but you will need to spend time on calculations, studying information and the work itself.

Note: You do not need any permits to build a greenhouse on your site. It is not recognized as real estate because it does not have a permanent foundation.

Quality seedlings are the key to a successful business

What are these structures made of? Usually use:

1. Glass 6-8 mm thick.
2. Polycarbonate.
3. reinforced film.
4. Polyethylene.
5. Polypropylene.

Read also: How to Start a Potato Business

The frame is usually made of metal or wood. Winter greenhouses are additionally well strengthened on the ground and calculated in such a way that they can withstand a layer of snow and ice.

In the late spring - summer period, heating for the greenhouse is actually not needed - it warms up well due to the sun. But year-round greenhouses are usually heated with hot air or heaters that emit infrared radiation. For irrigation, it is most advisable to use drip irrigation technology (it can also be used for fertilization).

What exactly to grow

So, you have decided to enter the greenhouse business: what is profitable to grow and what is the most profitable to do? We list the main options:

1. Various decorative flowers for cutting and seedlings.
2. All kinds of greens.
3. Classic vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini).
4. Strawberries, strawberries and other berries.

We recommend that you do one thing, and not be scattered in several directions at once. It would be more correct to first master one direction, and only then take on the next, understanding the ways of its development and promotion. You should also take into account local characteristics and the level of competition, so as not to end up with unsold goods.

Flowers

Flowers in greenhouses are considered the most promising option - they bring maximum profit and pay off very quickly. But caring for flowers is quite complicated, and the competition in the market is great. Think about what will be bought in your area and what you can sell in large quantities. There are the following gardening options:

1. Cut flowers for bouquets.
2. Fresh flowers (houseplants).
3. Seedlings and roots.

Slice trading is seasonal and poorly predictable, but it brings very good profits. Usually the peak of the cutting season is in the spring - February 14, February 23, March 8. During these holidays, it is quite possible to recoup all costs, if everything is properly organized.

Fresh flowers are in fairly even demand - they are bought in spring, autumn, winter, and summer. But their sales volumes are much less than those of the cut.

Flowers are a great option for growing in a greenhouse.

Seedlings and roots are usually purchased in the fall and spring, but are easy to grow and store. Investments in this type of business are minimal, and the return is quite tangible.

How exactly to trade flowers? This is where large volumes are important. Therefore, at first it is best to work with wholesalers who buy large quantities of goods at low prices. Then, when you already understand the market, you can open your own store, or even a whole network, while continuing to hand over the surplus.

Greenery

Despite the seeming cheapness of greenery, it is very profitable to engage in it. This is generally an ideal option for beginners, since the greens grow quickly, do not require large investments and special care. The most popular greens are:

1. Green onion.
2. Wheatgrass.
3. Parsley.
4. Dill.
5. Basil.

People buy these products year-round, even in summer, when they can be grown in the garden. This greenery can be bred even in racks, placing it in 3-4 tiers. The average yield varies by the following indicator - up to 1.5 kg is cut from 1 square meter of surface. quality greens for 1 harvest. In a year in a quality greenhouse, you can grow 10 crops, that is, 1 m2 will bring you 15 kg of greenery per year.

Note: in one greenhouse you can grow various greens - they combine well with each other and grow quickly. A large assortment of greens will allow you to sell more according to the Paretto principle.

Vegetables

The third most profitable option for earning money in the greenhouse economy is the cultivation of various vegetables. What is the most profitable thing to do? In the middle lane, Beijing cabbage, cucumbers and radishes are usually grown. In more southern regions, tomatoes grow well. The classic cultivation of cucumbers in a greenhouse as a business brings very good income to the farmer. The natural season for cucumbers is very short - in the gardens they ripen in July, and in August they already depart. But there is always a demand for them, and especially in spring.

Tomatoes can be sold all year round

Ripe cucumbers can be stored for quite a long time, they are convenient to store and transport - this is an excellent commodity for mass trade. Tomatoes usually ripen a little later than cucumbers, and their storage conditions are somewhat more complicated. Tomatoes also require better lighting and heating. But it is very easy to grow radishes and cabbages - they practically do not get sick, do not require special conditions and grow easily even in an unheated greenhouse almost from April to October.

With the right approach, the greenhouse business can provide a stable income. However, in order to properly organize it, you need to be aware of all the nuances - otherwise you will burn out. In the article, we will consider how to open a greenhouse business from scratch with minimal investment and analyze an example of a business plan with calculations.

Introduction to the greenhouse business. What is the best to grow?

First of all, you need to decide which greenhouse you want to organize, since they differ in the type of assembly. This partly depends on what vegetables you will be growing. After you do this, it's time to start to solve organizational issues.

In short, you need to contact buyers or find other points of sale for products. Only after that you can start building a greenhouse, organizing a workplace and purchasing the necessary equipment.

Please note: if you are good at working with your hands and do not plan to immediately start with large volumes, then you can build the first greenhouse yourself. In this case, you will save a lot of money.

There are 3 main branches of the greenhouse business: vegetable, flower and herb cultivation. It is worth noting that the latter is the most profitable at the moment. The greatest profits are received by those businessmen whose greenhouses are located in the southern regions of the country. Why? Firstly, because the cost of transporting products is significantly reduced. And, secondly, in the southern regions you will not have to deal with cold weather, which can bring big losses.

The figure below shows the main legal forms for running a greenhouse business: private household plots, individual entrepreneurs and peasant farms.

How to open a greenhouse business: preparation

The greenhouse industry is developing and improving very quickly. In addition, there is a lot of competition in this area, which leads to the fact that the rate of profit decreases. Despite this, technology is still changing rapidly, and the cost of equipment is also rising.

Thus, to keep your business afloat, you need to keep abreast of all events, expand in time and use the latest technologies. A business plan will help you cope with all these tasks. It consists of the following steps:

1. assessment of the situation in the sphere;
2. division into seasonal or permanent business (for a seasonal one, ordinary greenhouses are enough, while for a permanent one, only special industrial greenhouses with year-round heating are suitable);
3. building relationships with wholesalers and evaluating sales opportunities;
4. creation of a business plan and calculation of profits and expenses;
5. comprehensive development of a business plan;
6. financing.

The first step in creating a business plan is to sketch out an investment plan.

The first cost will be associated with obtaining project documentation for the greenhouse and external networks. It should include the specification for all equipment. Please note: you must know the exact price of each piece of equipment.

Hydroponics is the most popular type of cultivation. Usually this technology is used for different types of vegetables. If you organize everything correctly, then the cycle will be a couple of weeks, that is, 5-10 times faster than a regular vegetable cycle. At the same time, from one hectare you will receive 2-3 tons of crops every day. You can also specify 7 workers per 1 hectare in the costs.

Video lesson: "How to create a greenhouse business?"

How to open a greenhouse business: creating a business plan

First of all, you will need to determine the location of the land itself, its area. After that, you will need to decide which vegetables (greens, flowers) you will grow, and how much area will be allocated for each type. Then you need to specify the growing method that you will use.

After that, approximately calculate how much crop you plan to receive per square meter per year (for each type of product separately). With the help of such a short plan, you will be able to determine what you already have and what you need to purchase or do.

Project objectives and total cost

Think about what settlements are located near your greenhouses. If you manage to deliver products there, then significantly reduce the cost of transportation.

The next goal is to sign an agreement with a large corporation (supermarket chain, food preparation plants, etc.). However, it depends on how large your greenhouse business is.

The last goal is to determine the maximum profit for the year on the available resources and the minimum profit at which you can develop in the next year. It is desirable that these 2 numbers are very different from each other and be much higher than the loss line.

To calculate the total cost of a greenhouse business, you need to determine what expenses you will have. First, find out the initial capital. This amount of funds should ensure the direct construction of greenhouses, their connection to various networks (water, electricity, etc.), the purchase of equipment and planting material. Also, one should not forget about the current expenses that will occur before the first profit is received.

Project preparation time

To determine not only the volume, but also the time of profit, it is necessary to make several calculations:

1. preparation of the territory, construction of greenhouses and their connection to the networks should be carried out in T-time (you can find out this figure if you take into account the number of workers, the type of greenhouse and its size);
2. purchase of equipment and its installation;
3. acquisition and planting of planting materials;
4. according to your work strategy, determine the timing of the ripening of the crop;
5. the timing of the sale of goods.

As a result, you will be able to determine the approximate time for making a profit. Please note: if your contract with the customer does not provide for immediate payment upon receipt, and you receive money according to the quantity of products sold, then the average crop damage period must be added to the above formula.

You need to start your business by looking for wholesale buyers who will be ready to purchase your products: wholesale depots, shops, markets.

Greenhouse segment competition

There is no point in knowing how to open a greenhouse business if you are not competitive. It is necessary to determine the specifics of greenhouse farms that operate in this region. Pay special attention to the type, quantity and quality of the products they offer.

To be competitive, it is necessary to determine how full the sales market is and what demand the population has. Even if you have found one or more wholesale buyers, you need to take into account the fact that after some time they may go bankrupt, and you will have nowhere to sell your products. Therefore, it is best to have fallback sales options.

Technical and financial details

Having dealt with all the above issues, it is time to get acquainted with the intricacies of production:

1. Remoteness of communications from your greenhouses. The fact is that the connection will be carried out entirely at your expense. Therefore, you need to consider these additional costs.
2. Territory size. It should be such that it would be possible to easily organize access roads for transporting your goods.
3. If you do not have enough funds to purchase a land plot, you can rent it. But in this case, it would be inappropriate to build greenhouses - it is best to purchase prefabricated greenhouses.
4. Heating of greenhouses. It will allow you to clearly regulate the temperature inside the greenhouse and control the growth of vegetables.
5. Free finance. The availability of free cash will allow you to invest in new technologies, marketing or scale existing business processes.

An example of greenhouse business calculations

Let's get acquainted with the approximate calculation of how to open a greenhouse business:

1. one greenhouse with all the equipment and an area of ​​​​0.5 hectares will cost $ 15,000;
2. to service it, you need to hire 5 people: 3 workers, a manager and a technologist (salary 25-30,000 dollars per year);
3. 90% of the costs are heating and electricity, so you need to find the cheapest, but at the same time effective way (it is best to choose species for which the growing temperature does not differ much from the temperatures in the region - this will reduce variable costs);
4. business profitability is 15-40%, that is, your expenses will pay off in a couple of years (depending on competition and demand in a particular region).

The greenhouse business is one of the many areas.

With the help of greenhouses, you can ensure the harvest almost all year round. Moreover, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce - this is only a small part of what can be grown in greenhouse conditions.

Moreover, the northern climate, with its changing seasons and off-seasons, limits the opportunities for multiple harvests during the summer. And the greenhouse makes it possible! And so the greenhouse business is promising!

Advantages and disadvantages

The greenhouse business is an ideal solution where the weather does not favor heat.

The fact is that the greenhouse itself is a structure designed to accumulate heat. But under direct sunlight, a very high temperature is reached inside this structure, which is liked by almost all plants.

Therefore, this type of business:

• requires large initial investments for the arrangement of the greenhouses themselves. After all, in order for something to grow in them, a certain temperature regime and humidity level are necessary. For example, even such a heat-loving crop as a cucumber, if it is hot, will shed its embryos and not produce a crop;
• requires hired labor. Otherwise, who will look after the plants and serve them;
• constantly demands. Especially at the very beginning - for seed, for fertilizers, for the import of soil, etc.

In addition, it is necessary to think about the payback of greenhouses. In other words, they must be loaded for a year or almost the entire year in order to reduce the level of costs associated with their downtime. Therefore, you should take care of differentiation of greenhouse business areas, i.e. Don't stop at just one type of culture.

However, the greenhouse is not only disadvantages, but also serious benefits:

• complete independence from the weather. Plants in a greenhouse are not afraid of cold, so even in early spring or before frost, you can get a fresh crop. As for the heat, many greenhouses are equipped with a ventilation system or even ventilation;
• the opportunity to harvest all year round. Therefore, even on March 8, if the company is busy growing flowers, you can please with fresh bouquets. And in the New Year - fresh salad and herbs;
• in the greenhouse, you can equip hanging gardens, which seriously save space and provide a large area of ​​​​sowing. And this leads to a decrease.

But in order to have fewer shortcomings in the greenhouse business, you will need to plan plantings. Those. it is necessary to decide what is most profitable to grow in them.

The nuances of organizing a greenhouse business are discussed in the following video:

What is more profitable to grow in greenhouses?

There are crops that are financially murderous to try to grow in a greenhouse and are simply impossible - potatoes, carrots, beets, zucchini, cabbage, etc. The fact is that some vegetables require a large distance between plants. For example, there should be at least 60 cm - 1 m between zucchini. Moreover, they grow well in open ground.

For other vegetables, huge fields are needed to pay for their planting. This applies to potatoes, carrots, beets and other similar crops. Moreover, their processing requires technology, and therefore keeping them in a greenhouse is unprofitable.

But there are cultures that perfect fit for greenhouse conditions. In particular, these are traditional cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, various greens - parsley, dill, sorrel, cilantro, peppers, onions and much more. Such an assortment is especially in demand in winter and spring - at this time it will cover any expenses.

One of the fastest payback types of greenhouse business are flowers! Oddly enough, flowers are in demand all year round and especially on certain dates - March 8th, New Year, Birthdays, September 1st, etc. Moreover, roses, carnations and a number of simple but exquisite plants are considered the most popular - tulips, daffodils, etc. To decide on the assortment, you should look into the flower shop. And you should not limit yourself to the flowers that go into bouquets - any woman strives to surround herself at home with beautiful plants in pots.

An excellent option for the greenhouse business is considered strawberry. This is an expensive berry, but very popular. And many people want to see it on their table in the winter.

However, when choosing one or another type of plant, you should remember: it is not so easy to organize a fruit change in a greenhouse. The fact is that growing a new crop takes time and money, and also entails the loss of clientele.

Let's take an example. For New Year's Eve lilacs, it will take at least 5 weeks before the plant is ready to bloom. And it will take more time and special conditions to achieve flowering. But during this time the greenhouse will lose money. And cucumbers, in order to be in time for the winter holiday, will take much less days if the necessary conditions are maintained for the plant. Thus, a repeated crop of cucumbers can bring more profit than expensive lilacs. Moreover, it is exotic only for a holiday, and cucumbers will always be in demand. Therefore, it is more cost-effective to support the fruiting of the crop that is needed on the table all year round. However, lilac can also be profitable if separate conditions are created for it, under which it will bloom all year round in parallel with cucumbers. In other words, the greenhouse business must be differentiated and there should be no rush to irrevocably replace one culture with another.

If you have not yet registered an organization, then the easiest this can be done using online services that will help you generate all the necessary documents for free: If you already have an organization and you are thinking about how to facilitate and automate accounting and reporting, then the following online services come to the rescue, which will completely replace an accountant at your plant and save a lot of money and time. All reporting is generated automatically, signed with an electronic signature and sent automatically online. It is ideal for an individual entrepreneur or LLC on the simplified tax system, UTII, PSN, TS, OSNO.
Everything happens in a few clicks, without queues and stress. Try it and you will be surprised how easy it got!

What type of greenhouse business to choose?

The point is not so much in the design of the greenhouse, but in its scale and in.

If the greenhouse business designed for year-round work, That:

• first of all, it will be necessary to solve the problem of heating and independence from central heating communications. Those. about the autonomous system. And this requires investment. But if, for example, there is a warm room, then the construction of a shed greenhouse, which should be adjacent to a warm building on one side, will help to save some on heating, but it will complicate lighting;
• if you grow crops in winter, then you need to solve the problem with a short daylight hours, which is so necessary for any plants for growth and fruiting;
• winter is snow. And its presence on the roof of the greenhouse is a threat to the integrity and strength of its structure, as well as the difficulty of natural lighting. Therefore, it is necessary to resolve the issue of snow removal or install such a greenhouse design that will avoid the accumulation of snowdrifts immediately. For example, an arched or gable greenhouse eliminates this problem;
• the land must rest periodically to produce a good harvest. Therefore, with a year-round business, technologies will be required that will allow the soil to stay fallow, but at the same time receive a crop. And this requires investment.

But a year-round greenhouse business means a guaranteed income all year round and maintaining a constant connection with customers.

If choose seasonal greenhouse business, you may encounter the following problems:

• simple greenhouses for several months, which will have to be paid;
• growing a new crop requires preliminary preparation of greenhouses and land, and this entails costs;
• there is a risk of non-germination of seeds;
• time wasted on growing a new crop;
• Rebuilding relationships with customers is essential.

But the seasonal business does not require a solution to the problem of heating and lighting, which reduces the amount of capital investment. In addition, the land is resting, which allows you to get a good harvest from it.

If you are in the greenhouse business within a normal suburban area, for example, 25 or 50 acres, or even less, then there are some difficulties:

• the cost of the grown crop will be higher than that of large farms;
• less harvest;
• The crop must be sold directly to the final consumer. Then this will make the maintenance of greenhouses profitable;
• great difficulty in organizing year-round harvesting.

But a small business is an opportunity to experiment; this is saving on hired labor and independence from large wholesale buyers.

Technology and communications

Now on the market of greenhouse complexes there is a wide choice, in which there are both large manufacturers and less well-known ones.

Here are some of the current offers:

As for communications, all greenhouse complexes are already initially equipped with the necessary systems. But you need to choose the option that is most complete and has:

The market is now dominated by multi-row and tunnel complexes. Therefore, when choosing between them, you should consider the following:

• tunnel systems are much cheaper than multi-row structures;
• less technologically advanced than multi-row greenhouses;
• both options are suitable for year-round cultivation of vegetables, flowers, seedlings, fruits and mushrooms;
• equally suitable for operation in all climatic zones.

And if you build a greenhouse business in the country? In this case, you should choose small greenhouses that are built with your own hands or purchased ready-made:

• if wood is used in construction, then such greenhouse complexes will require replacement in a few years. Moreover, the tree attracts ants, and they attract aphids, which destroy plants. In addition, the use of fresh wood in the construction of greenhouses can take part of its strength from the soil, as well as deform. Therefore, the tree must be aged;
• flexible plastic frames are most suitable for temporary greenhouses. But plastic does not rot, does not corrode and does not deform - therefore it is often used in the construction of greenhouses. However, their service life does not exceed 10 years;
• therefore, it is worth choosing galvanized frames - they are more durable, strong, do not corrode and do not collapse. At the same time, they cost more, but pay off faster;
• ordinary film will not allow you to grow crops in the winter;
• a greenhouse made of glass or polycarbonate will require ventilation and heating. However, polycarbonate is more preferable than glass - it is more reliable!

For heating a small greenhouse, which was not originally equipped with such a system, wood (solid fuel) boilers can be used if there is no gas heating. Such boilers are a more economical option than electrical equipment.

The nuances of a business plan

First of all, one should identify crop types that will be grown. Depending on this, the area and technology of the greenhouse complex, and its arrangement are selected. Now many are turning their attention to hydroponics, which allows you to harvest more than one crop from small areas and reduces the cost of products and greenhouse maintenance. But first you need to find out whether everything can be grown using this technology. In addition, it is necessary to find out which types of crops can be adjacent to each other, i.e. find options that can be grown in the same greenhouse. This will reduce the cost of maintaining the crop.

Next, find out level of competition. If you rely on traditional types of crops - onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, etc. - you will have to put up with a large number of competitors. Therefore, it is worth looking for a niche, but there is no need to abandon traditional plant species, since they are always in demand.

To minimize competition, you must not forget about. In other words, you should look for ways to sell products that will allow you to reach the end consumer.

For example, open your own store. Usually large farms sell their products to wholesale customers, not seeking to find direct contact with ordinary retail buyers. By the way, it is precisely in the presence of such contact that the advantage of a small farm is.

Where to get money? The most painful question. But there are a number of answers to it:

• external private ;
• under which some banks give a loan;
• to support start-up farmers.

Depending on the scale of the planned greenhouse farm, the list of funding sources may expand, for example, by attracting for a small greenhouse complex and internal borrowings - friends or relatives, for example.

Do not forget that funds are needed not only for opening, but also for maintaining the business at first. Working capital is needed for fertilizers, for the delivery of products to the end consumer, for the purchase of planting material, for paying employees, etc.

An important part of a business plan that everyone is interested in is the payback period. Its value depends on the scale of the economy itself, the initial contribution and the size of the sales market. But it is usually believed that this period ranges from 2-3 years, and the level is from 15%.

It is also important to consider:

• the presence of a number of communications that will reduce the cost of building the complex and its maintenance;
• the degree of remoteness of the transport interchange and the sales market;
• buying or leasing land.

Today, any direction in the farming business is promising and profitable. Therefore, if you build greenhouses, then regardless of their scale, they will allow you to extract a good income. But this is a lot of work! And you should be ready for this.

An example of opening a greenhouse is shown in this video: