Sheep and goat farming is done for the meat and wool business. But the main question is how profitable are these businesses. Whether it is goat farming or sheep farming, both have additional benefits in the form of manure so there really are no major drawbacks. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc are the leading states in sheep farming.

Roughly, you can expect an income of INR 4000-5000 per sheep. The sheep are sold at INR 100-200 per kg. Each state will have a different rate for the per kg weight. Profit is more when you have 100 or more sheep to rear. Apart from the sheep, you can also make profits from the manure it produces. The manure earns roughly INR 50K at a rate of 1500 per ton of manure. Here in this article, you will read the details of sheep farming.

What is sheep farming?

Sheep farming is a branch of animal husbandry to raise and breed sheep for commercial purposes. Sheep are raised for their milk, sheepskin, wool, or meat. Depending on the climatic conditions different breeds of sheep are raised. It is one of the oldest and most profitable businesses in India. Both indigenous sheep breeds and crossbred sheep species are reared.

Main reasons to start farming

• The primary reason for sheep farming is that it requires minimal investment. The modern sheep farming business can easily find loans so it is not a great burden on you.
• It is easier to raise sheep in a limited space.
• Taking care of the flock is trouble-free and you don’t need too much labor power to sustain it.
• The main feed is low-maintenance grass which is usually abundant in rural areas. At the same time, they provide larger scope for income in several ways.
• This is a wonderful idea for the unemployed who need minimal input and can reap better output with proper management.

How to start sheep farming?

The sheep farming business plan should be made according to the space and budget. Once you have the plan in place proceed with the next steps.

1. Decide on the space for your sheep farm. The ideal space should have fresh water, greenery for feed, needed facilities for their rearing, and good transportation facilities.
2. Carefully choose the breeds. The success of sheep rearing mainly relies on the quality of the breed. The breed should be chosen as per the local climate to get maximum productivity. Common Indian breeds are cholla, Jaisalmer, Marwari, Magra, Nali, etc. Hassan and Mandya are the popular choices for sheep farming in Karnataka.
3. The next step is building a proper shelter for them so they can be protected from extreme climatic changes. It should be clean, and airy, with proper drainage, for a pleasant environment.
4. Provide them with healthy feed. The healthier flock is likely to stay healthier with fewer chances of diseases. You must remember that feed should be according to their age. Just like humans, sheep of different age groups need different nutrition requirements. Sheep are herbivores so you don’t need great investment in their nutrition.
5. Another important factor to note is to find a veterinarian to check the sheep regularly.
6. The final step in sheep farming is to find a proper marketing strategy to get maximum benefits. Though the planning comes as part of the first step, the practical side will come in the final stage. Local markets and nearby areas are the best options for small-scale sheep farmers.

Prospects of sheep farming in India

Sheep farming in India is seen across all states. People of each state mainly prefer the local breed. For some large-scale sheep farming, higher-grade international breeds are also reared. This is the main business in Jammu and Kashmir. It is mostly seen in areas that have drier climatic conditions.

Several states offer subsidies for sheep farmers to start their businesses. Subsidy schemes for sheep farming in Telangana are one such example. Interestingly, a great majority of low-cost sheep farming use locally made shelter facilities with thatched roofs and muddy walls. So if you have a low budget you do not need to make an extensive shelter system.

Read this: Beekeeping Business In India – A Business Of All Seasons

Conclusion

It is crucial that you collect as much information as possible about sheep/goat farming and related things. While there are several sources available to learn things. But there still are people who still rely on knowledge passed down through generations. It is seen in sheep farming in Tamil Nadu. Sheep farmers in Tirunelveli have revealed this fact in a study.

So it doesn’t matter where you acquire your knowledge. All it matters is how you bring your knowledge into action. Sheep farming is an easy business that you can comfortably achieve this feat.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

There has been a steady but significant increase in the sale of herbs as well as herbal medicines. This has increased the prospects of the herbal medicine business. Countries like India have always had their types of traditional medicine which are now slowly getting recognition and popularity. The herbal medicine business requires you to properly understand the medicinal properties and the working mechanism of the plants. You can either be a herbalist or get the help of a herbalist to start your business.

The most profitable medicinal plants include Aloe Vera, Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Isabgol, Senna, and Tulsi that require very little expenditure and care. Depending upon the type of plant that you grow the income will be different. With medicinal plants business you can eye an income around 1 to 3 lakhs per acre. This article will help you get the facts straight to start your business.

Benefits of herbal medicine

It is essential to understand the benefits of herbal medicine so that you can sell your products with proper reasoning and properly promote them.

• Herbal medicine products offer holistic treatment that not only cures the problem but will also strengthen the immune system to keep the diseases off.
• Fewer side effects are the major perk of herbal medicine since the ingredients are carefully taken from herbs that have wider positive effects on the body, they do not cause any long-term side effects.
• Most herbal medicinal products come with an array of instructions and tips that you need to follow religiously. It is a way of empowering yourself and making the most out of these products.
• Most importantly, it has scientific backing as well as years of experiments and expertise to ascertain its positive effects.

How to Start an Herbal Medicine Business?

When planning to start an herbal medicine business it is necessary to have the required qualifications and master the needed skills. The qualifications required are an Herbal medicine degree from a reputed institution. If you do not have this required qualification, find someone who has this degree and make him/her your partner.

1. The first step of starting a herbal business is to find an appropriate name for your business.
2. Choose the popular herbs and understand more about their benefits and possible side effects, interactions, etc. You must also be careful to choose herbs that are organically grown.
3. Develop a business plan keeping in mind your budget, the target customers, the cost of the products, your profit margin, and the general portfolio of the company that is going to be your identity in the public domain.
4. Register your business as a legal entity and open a bank account under this name.
5. Procure a licence from AYUSH – The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy using necessary documents. There are three types of licences such as complete manufacturing licence, loan licence, and third-party manufacturing. Choose the appropriate one accordion to your business plans.
6. Find a manufacturing facility which can be a small setup or a large-scale business.
7. The next step is to manufacture the products under strictly hygienic conditions and packaging processes.
8. Once you have everything ready, the next step is marketing. Though the initial research and strategies should be done along with the business plan, now is the time to do the practical side.
9. Marketing strategy includes finding the most profitable method to get your products to the customers. You easily choose an online platform such as your website cum shop, social media promotions, and other print media as well.
10. Needless to say, that the products should have an affordable price range. You can add coupon codes to lower the price as part of the marketing strategy in promoting your herbal business to gain more customers. Later, their reviews will help you spread the word.

Future of herbal business

The herbal medicine business is not restricted to the manufacturing of herbal products, it also involves growing the necessary herbs as well. Due to the increase in demand for herbal medicine, there is a sudden growth in the sales of herbs as well.

If you do not have the necessary qualifications to start a medicine business, this is the best alternative. Medicinal herbs business does not require licensing or major legalities involved. You can easily find suitable land, learn about the cultivation of herbs, or get assistance and immediately start growing them. You will have enough time to find the appropriate market as many of these medicinal herbs can be dried and stored for a long time.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

Beekeeping is one of the oldest businesses in India. The commercial production of honey requires beekeeping on a larger scale. A place where bees are kept is called the apiary. The rearing of honeybees to collect honey is called Apiculture.

This is a challenging business but a highly profitable one that earns 2-3 lakhs for 100 bee colonies. Depending on the type of bee that you are farming the annual income varies from INR 1,50,000 to 3 lakhs per division. It is an all-season business that needs very little investment, but you need a thorough understanding of the entire process to get the profits.

Honeybee farming in India

In India, beekeeping is a flourishing business in many states such as Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, some parts of Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, etc. It is suitable for all types of terrains. At the same time, bees prefer slightly warmer temperatures in the initial period. Because of this reason, bees are initiated in the spring to allow them a warm climate when they need it. It doesn’t require much maintenance and there is no need to feed them either. This ease and flexibility have attracted many into this business. Earlier farmers were reluctant to allow beekeeping near their fields but now they are also part of the huge beekeeping community and are reaping high profits.

Different honeybee species in India

Although there are more than 20000 species of honeybees in nature. Among them, only 7 specific species are used for beekeeping. The top 5 species used for commercial beekeeping are,

1. Rock Bee: They are giant Himalayan subspecies mainly seen in mountain areas. They are hard to rear but produce up to 36 kg of honey per honeycomb annually.
2. Italian bees are larger than other bees and make parallel combs. Each colony of these bees makes 25-40 kg of honey annually.
3. Little Bee: They usually make their combs anywhere in the open on plants, trees, other structures, etc and can bring half a kg of honey per hive in a year. Their combs are vertical.
4. Indian Hive Bee is a tamed species and is considered the local variety. They make parallel combs with an overall yield of 6-7 kg per colony, annually. These bees are bigger but not larger than the Italian variety.
5. Dammar or Stingless Bee is smaller but is more important in the pollination of flowers. They are considered tamed varieties with a total yield of just 100 gms.

Both Indian bees and Italian bees are the most popularly used species. They are reared to get honey, beeswax, bee pollen, jelly, bee glue, bee venom etc.

How to do honey farming?

Choosing the bee species is the primary step in starting honey farming. There is a queen bee, worker bees, and drone bees that make up a bee colony. Once you choose the species, get a queen bee and other bees will follow. To set up the business you need to start by getting the necessary tools.

Types of equipment needed

• Hives: Man-made equipment where the bees are kept. It has a dimension of 19 7/8″ X 16 1/4″ X 9 5/8″ in length, width, and height.
• Frames are rectangular and work as a filing system to rest inside the hives. This is where the honeybees make their combs.
• Protective Clothing in the form of a body suit, veil to defend your head, gloves for hands, shoes, etc., are essential. You can easily get them online. Gloves are another important factor which should be made in strong material.
• Hive Tool is a multipurpose tool mainly used to examine the apiaries.
• Bee smoker to calm the bees when the hives are under examination.
• Queen Catcher helps you segregate the Queen bee from the colony.
• Feeders are used in unfavourable conditions when the blooming is delayed. Feeders will provide pollen, honey, and other substitutes to sustain the honeybees.
• Bee Brush is used to separate bees from the honey frames.

Where to buy honey bees from?

A bee farmer can purchase the bee colony which includes a queen and other workers from other local farmers. This way you can get extra tips on beekeeping as well. Another method is to catch the wild bees from the trees which can be an adventurous effort. The third method is to get a Nucleus Hive. It is nothing but a small portion of a larger bee colony which you can get from other local beekeepers.

Bottom line

Apart from getting the bees, setting up the equipment and collecting tools, you must undergo training sessions and be aware of the various rules and regulations as well. The Government of India allows you to get a loan for the initial investment in beekeeping business.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

Mushroom Farming: Mushrooms are edible fungi that grow on moist surfaces such as wood or other organic matter. Not all types of mushrooms are edible, but the edible ones have a good market. Mushroom farming is a booming sector in agribusiness in India. The low investment and low maintenance features are attracting people to this business. This is mainly done as a part-time or alternative income.

Due to the favourable climate, mushroom farming in Kerala is third in the country. The State Government is conducting various training sessions in mushroom farming in Bihar. Mushroom farming in Gujarat is done by homemakers, professionals, and some students as well. The expected income is INR 1000 per sq ft onwards. The average price per kg of mushroom is INR 150 and each bag will carry approximately 1 kg of mushroom. The per kg price varies in each state. It is INR 189 in Kerala, INR 180-200 in Bihar, and INR 130 in Gujarat.

What will be a good mushroom farming business plan?

If you are planning mushroom farming, the first thing you need is a proper plan on how to do the farming, what is the process behind it, the techniques to use, and most importantly, its market. This business requires very less space and minimal investment. It grows in sawdust or wooden pieces or a mix of any of these items, etc. So, you do not have to worry too much about the budget. You must choose the species carefully and understand what season is ideal for which species.

Read : Subsidy for Mushroom Cultivation: Get Up to 10 Lakhs Support

Types of mushroom farming in India

Three types of mushrooms are used for mushroom farming in India. They are button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and paddy straw mushrooms. Button mushroom farming is mainly done in the winter season when the weather conditions are most suitable. The Oyster mushroom likes the northern plains for its growth. The paddy straw mushrooms are ideal to grow in areas where the temperature ranges from 35-40 degrees Celsius. Button mushrooms are the most popular type used for farming which has a larger market. They are white in colour and attractive.

How to start small-scale mushroom farming?

It involves various steps that are simple but need to be done diligently. Here, we will see the details about button mushroom farming.

Step 1- Composting

• Making compost is the first step of mushroom farming. It must be done carefully in the open on flat trays. It should have proper drainage to avoid liquid accumulation. It should also be protected from rain. Compost can be natural or synthetic.
• Synthetic compost is made using bran, calcium ammonium nitrate/ammonium sulphate gypsum, urea, and wheat straw. They are mixed well and soaked in water using a sprinkling method and made into a pile.
• Natural compost consists of wheat straw and gypsum mixed with horse dung and poultry manure. Only fresh manure is used for compost making. Sprinkle water to wet the wheat straw, mix well and let it ferment. Turn the compost pile regularly and keep it wet. When you get the smell of ammonia, it means that it is decomposing. Using natural compost makes it organic mushroom farming.
• When the compost is ready to use, they are filled into the designated trays at a thickness of 15-18 cm. The filling should be moist and maintained.

Step 2- Spawning

This is the process of sowing the mushroom mycelium. You can either sprinkle it on the compost filling or mix it well with the compost before filling the trays. After sowing, cover it with newspapers and sprinkle it with water to keep it moist.

Step 3- Casing soil

Casing soil is spread over the mushrooms. This is the soil mixed with cow dung and filtered thoroughly and sterilised to eliminate microbes. Spread it over the compost and maintain a high temperature near 27 degrees for 72 hrs.

Step 4- Cropping

This is the stage after 15 days when the ‘buttons’ on the button mushrooms are prominent and tight on their stems. They are ready for harvesting.

Step 5- Harvesting

Gently pressing against the soil, slowly twist the caps to loosen them. Take the caps off leaving the soiled stem on the tray.

How profitable is mushroom farming in India?

Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, and Kerala are the highest mushroom-producing states. Mushroom farming profit in India is at least INR 1000 per sq. ft. area. The upper margin of the profit in mushroom farming in India can be much higher with large-scale production. The profit depends on the area you use for farming, the type of mushroom you use, and the best market you find. If you feel that you can find all of these, then you can surely do mushroom farming.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

Fish is a popular food item for many across the world. Statistics show that almost 60% of Indians live to have fish on their menu. There is a steady increase in demand for fish and it is not easy for the farmers to meet this requirement. Thus fish farming in India has emerged as a popular farming idea and people are eagerly developing fish farming business plans.

The profitable fish farming earnings range from INR 3000 to 9000 for a small unit. Depending on the size of your farm, you may have to spend up to INR 25,000 to 50,000 and get an overall earnings of  INR 2-4 lakhs per acre, at a rate of INR 100 to 140 per kg of fish. Needless to say that the price will be different for each state. Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat are the highest fish producers in India.

What is Pisciculture?

Pisciculture is the scientific term used for fish farming which generally involves processes such as rearing and breeding the fishes in an artificial environment. It also refers to the commercial farming of fish. There are different methods of fish farming which we will discuss here.

Types of fish farming

The main types of fish farming include aquaculture, pond fish farming, and biofloc fish farming.

1. Aquaculture means growing aquatic organisms in controlled aquatic mediums on a large scale. Fish farming is the most common aquaculture practice. With proper food, quality water, and controlled temperature, it is one of the easiest methods to gain profit in fish farming.
2. Biofloc Fish Farming (BFT) is a type of water treatment plant having microorganisms that can break down high nitrogen content and balance the nutrient supply. It is integrated with fish farming to provide a continuous nutrient supply for the growing fish. Only certain types of fish can be grown in these controlled systems such as a pond or tank but they can get high nutrition and will also be safe for the environment.
3. Pond fish farming is an artificial aquatic system where fish are grown, Shellfish and fin fishes are the most common types grown in these systems.

How to start fish farming?

Whether you are starting simple fish farming in Kerala or extensive fish farming in Assam, there are certain procedures to be followed. Before you start a fish farming business do proper research to understand the process, preparatory methods, and the various rules and regulations involved in a fish farm. To get profits from your efforts, you should have a strong business plan for fish farming.

• Step 1

Preparing the pond is the first step. A pond can be temporary or permanent. The former is used for seasonal fish farming for some fast-growing species. You must also set up water inlets and outlets, etc. You should also take measures to optimize the pH level of the water. It will be different for each fish species.

• Step 2

Choosing suitable breeds of fish is the next step. You should consider the growing environments, market demands, and maintenance methods before choosing the breeds. You may do monoculture (growing a single type of fish) or polyculture (growing different types of fish together).

• Step 3

The next step is the maintenance of the growing environment of fish culture. This involves taking care of the fish, maintaining water pH levels, feeding them, changing the water etc. You should also scout on a daily basis to remove any unhealthy fish from the pond. Taking proper measures to treat and prevent diseases in the fish farm is also an important step involved here.

• Step 4

The final step is to find a market for your yield. You may choose the local market or choose to export the fish. The former will be easier but will get you fewer profits than the latter option. As a beginner, sticking to the local market will help you be successful. Once you have established your fish farm, you can go to the next level.

Is fish farming profitable?

Yes, fish farming is a lucrative business in India. Fish farming in Bihar will be a good choice as it has an Aquatic Animal Health Lab to support the farmers. Studies show that fish farming in UP is steadily increasing with more profits for the farmers. It is the integrated fish farming in Tamil Nadu which is gaining momentum in that state. Fish farming in Punjab had the highest freshwater yield last year.

Conclusion

Setting up a commercial fish farm may be difficult. But once you have all the necessary things in place it is easier to maintain and get good benefits. It may take a bit longer for you to start getting profits. But once you establish yourself, the market is steadily growing for you to get continuous benefits.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.