Are you about starting a commercial aquaponic farm? If YES, here is a complete sample aquaponics business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE.
If you have been looking to start a business that is agriculture related, then you may want to consider starting an aquaponics business. This is one area of trade that sure can guarantee good returns on your investment. However, just before you begin to build this business, it becomes expedient that you garner all the knowledge and skills that you are required to, so that you do not start out on the wrong footing.
One of the foremost steps that you will need to take is the business plan step. This is a very expedient path that you should be willing to walk so that you can get things write. Here below is a sample aquaponics business plan;
A Sample Commercial Aquaponics Farm Business Plan Template
1. Industry Overview
There are several business opportunities available in the agricultural industry and one good thing about the industry is that there is market for all the produce from the industry.
Over the years, researchers and scientist have been researching on ways to improve crop cultivation especially in areas where the soil composition and climatic condition does not support the growth of certain crops (cash crops, food crops et al).
So also engineers have been improving on their invention as regards mechanized (commercial) farming et al. The agricultural industry, of which Aquaponics business is a subset of agriculture; and is no doubt among the leading industries in most countries of the world. It is the industry that produces food for the populace and raw materials for industries.
Because of the significant roles the agriculture sector plays, the government of most countries ensures that they go all the way to subsidize seedlings, fertilizers, and farming implements and machinery for farmers and also encourage entrepreneurs to go into Aquaponics business.
Aquaponics business essentially talks about any system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.
In standard aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity, while in an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponic system where the by-products are broken down by nitrification bacteria into nitrates and nitrites, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients, and the water is then re-circulated back to the aquaculture system.
Basically, aquaponics comprises of two key parts, with the aquaculture part for raising aquatic animals and the hydroponics part responsible for growing plants; Hydroponics is simply a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water, without soil. Players in this industry generally cultivate food crops under glass or any form of protective cover.
The Aquaponics Farming industry is indeed a fast growing industry and pretty much active in countries such as united states of America, Japan, China, Germany, and Singapore et al. The companies that has dominate market share in the industry are Nature – sweet, Village Farm and Houweling’s.
Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 2,307 registered and licensed Aquaponics farming – companies responsible for employing about 7,939 and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $848 million annually. The industry is projected to enjoy 5.3 percent annual growth.
One thing is certain about aquaponics farming, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies; you are more likely not going to struggle to sell your farm produce because there are always food processing companies and consumers out there who are ready to buy from you.
Lastly, with aquaponics farming, you can afford to combine both crop cultivation and animal husbandry or you can decide to only specialize in the cultivation of crops or rearing of animals i.e. aquatic animals and the hydroponics. The bottom line is that if you do not have enough land (space) and you are interested in maximizing aquaponics farming, you are sure going to make huge profits from the business.
2. Executive Summary
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is a licensed agro – allied company that will be based in the outskirt of Smethport Pennsylvania – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure a 25 hectares of land to start our aquaponics farming.
Our aquaponics business is a going to be standard aquaponics farming business hence will be involved in both aquatic animals farming and hydroponics farming.
At Jade and Julius Aquaponics Farms we will be involved in the cultivation of crops such as; cucumbers, shallots, tomatoes, lettuce, chides, capsicum, red salad onions and snow peas, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, basil, roses, tomatoes, okra, cantaloupe and bell peppers, watercress, basil, coriander, parsley, lemongrass, sage, beans, peas, kohlrabi, taro, radishes, strawberries, melons, onions, turnips, parsnips, sweet potato, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and eggplant as well as the choys that are used for stir fries.
We also will be involved in farming freshwater fish, crayfish and prawns, saltwater fish, called saltwater aquaponics. Tilapia, Barramundi, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish or tandanus catfish, jade perch and Murray cod, Koi and goldfish, channel catfish, rainbow trout, perch, common carp, Arctic char, largemouth bass and striped bass et al.
In the nearest future, hopefully within the first seven years of officially running Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC, we will start our food processing and packaging plant and also start exporting our agriculture produce to other parts of the world.
This is why aside from the fact that we’ve secured the required farming land and most of the farming equipment and machines; we have also hired some key employees who are currently undergoing training so as to be able to fit into the ideal picture of the 21st century aquaponics business workforce that we want to build.
We are in the aquaponics farming business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the Agriculture industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production, raw materials production for industries, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading aquaponics farms in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and machines to run the business with.
We have put process and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to aquaponics farming processes and food processing and packaging as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America.
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is a private registered agro – allied company that is owned by Dr. Julius Corey and family. The company will be fully and single handedly managed by the owner – Dr. Julius Corey and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.
Before starting Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC , Dr. Julius Corey was the Head of a renowned Agriculture Research Institute in The U.S. he worked in the industry for well over 15 years before resigning to start his own aquaponics business. Dr. Julius Corey is a known agriculture scientists.
3. Our Products and Services
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is an agro – allied company that will be involved in both aquatic animals farming and hydroponics farming for both the United States’ market and the global market. We are in business to produce both vegetable, fruits and fish in commercial quantities.
We will also ensure that we operate a standard food processing and packaging plant as part of our complimentary business. These are the areas we will concentrate on in our aquaponics farms. If need arises we will definitely add more agriculture produce to our list;
- Cultivation of freshwater fish and saltwater fish (Tilapia, Barramundi, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish or tandanus catfish, jade perch and Murray cod, Koi and goldfish, channel catfish, rainbow trout, perch, common carp, Arctic char, largemouth bass, triped bass crayfish and prawns, et al.)
- Hydroponic greenhouse tomato farming
- Hydroponic greenhouse cucumber farming
- Hydroponic greenhouse bell pepper farming
- Other hydroponic greenhouse vegetable farming
- Hydroponic greenhouse fruit production
4. Our Mission and Vision Statement
- Our Vision is to become one of the leading aquaponics farm brand not just in the United States of America but also on the global stage.
- Our mission statement as an aquaponics farm is to go into full – time cultivation of vegetables, fruits and fishes that will not only be consumed in the United States of America, but also exported to other parts of the world.
- We want our processed food to flood the nooks and crannies of the United States and other countries of the world.
Our Business Structure
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is family owned and managed aquaponics farms that is into the cultivation of vegetables and fishes.
At Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;
- Chief Operating Officer
- General Farm Manager
- Administrator / Accountant
- Crop (Vegetable) Cultivation Manager / Supervisor
- Fish Farming Manager / Supervisor
- Sales and Marketing Executive
- Front Desk Officer
5. Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Executive Officer – CEO:
- Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
- Responsible for providing direction for the business
- Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
- Evaluates the success of the organization
General Farm Manager
- Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
- Supervises other section manager
- Ensures compliance during project executions
- Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all section
- Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
- Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of crops, fishes, birds and animals
- Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of farm produce after harvest
- Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders meetings
- Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied. Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Handles all financial transactions for the company
- Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
- Carries out staff induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Oversee the smooth running of the daily farming activities across the various farming sections
Administrator / Accountant
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
- Carries out staff induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
- Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
- Responsible for administering payrolls
- Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
- Handles all financial transactions for the company
- Serves as internal auditor for the company
Crop (Vegetable and fruits) Cultivation Manager / Supervisor
- Responsible for managing the crop cultivation section of the aquaponics farm
- Handles hydroponic greenhouse tomato farming
- Handles hydroponic greenhouse cucumber farming
- Handles hydroponic greenhouse bell pepper farming
- Handles other hydroponic greenhouse vegetable farming
- Handles hydroponic greenhouse fruit production
- Supervises other workers within the department
- Works closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and objectives
Fish Farming Manager / Supervisor
- Responsible for managing the fish farming section of the aquaponics farm
- Supervises other workers within the department
- Works closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and objectives
Sales and Marketing Officer
- Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new markets for our agriculture produce, processed food, new partners, and business opportunities within the agro – allied industry
- Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales of all our agriculture produce and processed foods
- Documents all customer contact and information.
- Represents the company in strategic meetings
- Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
Front Desk / Customer’s Service Officer
- Welcomes clients and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
- Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
- Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s farm produce
- Manages administrative duties assigned by the HR manager in an effective and timely manner
- Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to potential clients when they make enquiries
6. SWOT Analysis
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis. We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard aquaponics farm that will favorably compete with leading commercial farms in the United States of America and in the rest part of the world.
As a world – class aquaponics farms, we look forward to maximizing our strength and opportunities and also to work around our weaknesses and threats. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC;
- Strength:
Our strength as an aquaponics farm company is hinged on the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players (agriculture merchants) in the agriculture industry; both suppliers and buyers within and outside of the United States.
We have some of the latest aquaponics farming machines; tools and equipment that will help us cultivate crops and fishes in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in the Aquaponics line of business in Des Moines, Iowa in our payroll.
- Weakness:
Our weakness could be that we are a new aquaponics business in the United States, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from international markets in the already saturated and highly competitive agriculture industry; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to promote our business the way we would want to.
- Opportunities:
The opportunities that are available to us cannot be quantified, we know that everybody on planet earth eat farm produce. We are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that is available in the industry.
- Threat:
Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new aquaponics farm in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.
7. MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Trends
As aquaponic growing operations are less vulnerable to weather conditions, the industry’s business locations vary considerably from the broader Vegetable Farming industry. On the other hand, large- scale commercial aquaponic production still tends to be concentrated in temperate climates with all year- round sunshine, giving room for the best quality and highest profit margins.
In view of that, large aquaponic farms are predominately located in Pennsylvania, California, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin which make up about one half of this industry’s revenue, while comprising about a third of the farms.
It is on records that revenue for the Aquaponics Farming industry has maintained positive growth. This is so because in recent time, a growing number of individuals shifted to healthy eating and consuming organic produce, resulting in high demand. In addition, extreme weather conditions spoiled many crops for fresh field farmers, so grocery stores and farmers markets quickly turned to hydroponic farmers to meet their demand.
One of the common trends in the aquaponics farming line of business is that most players in the industry are no longer concentrating only on non – organic farming. They now find it easier to run both organic crop cultivation and non – organic crop cultivation. It is fact that despite that organic food are expensive, the sale for organic food is on the increase and it is indeed profitable.
8. Our Target Market
Naturally, the target market of those who are the end consumer of aquaponics farm produce and also those who benefits from the business value chain of the agriculture industry is all encompassing; it is far – reaching.
Every household consumes produce from aquaponics farms be it vegetables, fruits, fish, crayfish and prawn et al. So also a large chunk of manufacturing companies depends on aquaponics farms for some of their raw materials. In essence a commercial farmer should be able to sell his or her farm produce to as many people as possible.
We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers of agriculture produce not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is why we will be exporting some of our farm produce either in raw form or processed form to other countries of the world.
Our Competitive Advantage
It is easier to find entrepreneur flocking towards an industry that is known to generate consistent income which is why there are more commercial farmers in the United States of America and of course in most parts of the world.
For example, Statistics has it that there were 2.2 million farms in the United States of America, covering an area of 922 million acres. These goes to show that there are appreciable numbers of farmers in the United States of America but that does not mean that there is stiffer competition in the industry.
As a matter of fact, entrepreneurs are encouraged by the government to embrace commercial farming. This is so because part of the success of any nation is her ability to cultivate her own food and also export foods to other nations of the world.
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling aquaponics cum commercial farm produce all over the globe, which is why we decided to carry out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market in the United States and in other parts of the world.
We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and reliable farming processes that can help us sell our produce at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.
Our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of hardworking and highly proficient farmers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in various niche areas in the agriculture industry. Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected team members, we have some of the latest and efficient aquaponics farm machines and equipment and we will be guided by best practices in the industry.
Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we have designed our business in such a way that we will operate an all – round standard aquaponics farms that will be involved in diverse areas such as crop cultivation, fish farming, and food processing and packaging plant. With this, we will be able to take advantage of all the available opportunities within the industry.
Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (start – ups aquaponics farms in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.
9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
- Sources of Income
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is in the aquaponics commercial farming business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives.
In essence we are not going to rely only on the sale of our farm produce to generate income for the business. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC;
- Sale of freshwater fish and saltwater fish (Tilapia, Barramundi, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish or tandanus catfish, jade perch and Murray cod, Koi and goldfish, channel catfish, rainbow trout, perch, common carp, Arctic char, largemouth bass, tripped bass crayfish and prawns, et al.)
- Sale of varieties of Fruits
- Sale of varieties of Vegetable
- Sale of processed foods / can – food (Tomatoes Paste, Fruit Juice, and can foods et al)
- Agricultural Related Consultancy and Advisory Services
10. Sales Forecast
From the survey conducted, we were are able to discover that the sales generated by an aquaponics commercial farm depends on the size of the farm, and the nature of the aquaponics commercial farm
We have perfected our sales and marketing strategies and we are set to hit the ground running and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income / profits from the year of operations and build the business from survival to sustainability.
We have been able to critically examine the agriculture industry cum aquaponics commercial farm business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to the nature of aquaponics commercial farm that we run.
Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC;
- First Year-: $200,000
- Second Year-: $500,000
- Third Year-: $800,000
N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), and unfavorable government policies
- Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy
We are quite aware that the reason why some aquaponics commercial farms hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their farm produce especially perishable crops as at when due. In view of that, we decided to set up a standard food processing plant to help us maximize profits.
Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the aquaponics commercial farms industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their set targets and the overall business goal of Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC.
Our goal is to grow Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC to become one of the leading aquaponics commercial farms in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in Smethport – Pennsylvania but also in other cities in the United States of America and the world at large.
Over and above, we have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking with agriculture merchants and companies that rely on raw materials from the agriculture industry who are likely to become our customers. In summary, Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our commercial farm produce;
- Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the agriculture industry, companies that rely on the agriculture industry for their raw materials, hotels and restaurants and agriculture produce merchants et al.
- Advertise our business and agriculture produce in agro – allied and food related magazines and websites
- List our commercial farms on yellow pages ads
- Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
- Leverage on the internet to promote our business
- Engage in direct marketing
- Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)
11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy
Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready and willing to utilize every available means (both conventional and non – conventional means) to advertise and promote the business. We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means.
We know that it is important to create strategies that will help us boost our brand awareness and to create a corporate identity for our aquaponics commercial farm business. Below are the platforms you can leverage on to boost our aquaponics commercial farm brand and to promote and advertise our business;
- Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
- Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
- Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
- Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Smethport – Pennsylvania
- Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
- Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
- Contact corporate organizations and residence in our target areas by calling them up and informing them of Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC and the farm produce we sell
- List our aquaponics farms in local directories / yellow pages
- Advertise our aquaponics farms in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
- Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.
12. Our Pricing Strategy
Some of the factors that will help you sell your farm produce at the right price that will guarantee that you make profits is dependent on your strategy while some of the factors are beyond your control. For example, if the climatic condition is unfavorable and if there are natural disasters in the location where you have your commercial farm, then it will directly affect the prices of your farm produce.
Over and above, if you want to get the right pricing for your farm produce, then you should ensure that you choose a good location for aquaponics commercial farm, choose a good breed / seeds that will guarantee bountiful harvest, cut the cost of running your farm to the barest minimum and of course try as much as possible to attract buyers to your farm as against taking your farm produce to the market to source for buyers; with this, you would have successfully eliminate the cost of transporting the goods to the market and other logistics.
We are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and acquiring loads of customers for all our agriculture produce is to sell them at competitive prices hence we will do all we can to ensure that the prices of our farm produces are going to be what other commercial farmers would look towards beating.
One thing is certain; the nature of aquaponics commercial farming makes it possible for farmers to place prices for their farm products based on their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry. The truth is that it is one of the means of avoiding running into loss. The easier you sell off your harvest the better for your business.
- Payment Options
The payment policy adopted by Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.
Here are the payment options that Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC will make available to her clients;
- Payment via bank transfer
- Payment with cash
- Payment via online bank transfer
- Payment via check
- Payment via bank draft
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part.
13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)
When it comes to calculating the cost of starting an aquaponics commercial farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The different niche of commercial farms determines the total cost of setting up the business. For example, the start – up cost for a fish farm is different from the start – up cost for mechanized crop farming, so also the start – up cost for poultry farming is different from the start – up cost of cattle ranch (dairy farm) et al.
As a matter of fact, if you choose to start a mechanized crop farming, then you should be willing to raise huge capital base to start the business. This is so because some cultivation machines / equipment can be pretty expensive. Below are some of the basic areas we will spend our start – up capital in setting up our aquaponics commercial farm;
- The amount required for preparing the farm land (for crop cultivation, fish ponds, and fencing et al – $30,000
- The amount needed to acquire / lease a farm land – $50,000
- The budget for key insurance policies, permits and business license – $2,500
- The Total Fee for incorporating the Business (aquaponics commercial farm) in United States of America – $750.
- The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / glass casing et al– $200,000
- The amount required for purchase of seedlings and fingerlings – $20,000
- The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
- The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $100,000
- Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000
Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of $500,000 to start a standard aquaponics commercial farm business in the United States of America.
Basically, the nature of aquaponics commercial farms does not require an office space, most people that run aquaponics commercial farms operate directly from their farms. But if we have decide to open a small liaison office; a place where administrative jobs will be carried out.
Generating Funding / Startup for Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC
No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a very important factor when it comes to starting a business such as aquaponics commercial farming. No doubt raising start – up capital for a business might not come cheap, but it is a task that an entrepreneur must go through.
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is a family owned business and it will be financed by the owners of the company – Dr. Julius Corey and family. These are the areas where we intend sourcing for fund for Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC;
- Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
- Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
- Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).
N.B: We have been able to generate about $200,000 (Personal savings $150,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $300,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.
14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.
One of our major goals of starting Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.
We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to sell our farm produce a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.
Jade and Julius Aquaponics – Farms, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more as determined by the board of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.
Check List / Milestone
- Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
- Business Incorporation: Completed
- Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
- Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
- Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
- Application for business license and permit: Completed
- Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
- Leasing of farm land in Smethport – Pennsylvania: Completed
- Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
- Start – up Capital Generation: Completed
- Writing of Business Plan: Completed
- Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
- Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
- Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
- Recruitment of employees: In Progress
- Building /construction of fish ponds, cattle ranch, and poultry: In Progress
- Purchase of the needed working tools, machines and equipment: Completed
- Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
- Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
- Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement: In Progress
- Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry (agriculture farm produce merchants, transporter / haulage and suppliers of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides): Completed