How to Start an Agricultural Business in the Philippines

If you’re thinking of starting an agricultural business, here are our top tips for you:

• Know your produce.

  Agriculture is comprised of a broad range of business types, so there are many opportunities for you as long as you’re willing to work hard. You could grow fruits and vegetables and sell them at a farmers’ market. You could start a beekeeping enterprise. You could grow herbs and medicinal plants, and sell them right from your garden. You could even breed animals, if you have the space to do so. In every case, make sure you understand your produce. These products are generally more delicate or high-maintenance than others, so make sure your environment is conducive for the best possible quality.

• Know your market.

  There’s a high demand for agricultural products in the Philippines, but you need to know (a) where your market is, (b) what exactly they’re after, and (c) how you’re going to get your products to them. Remember that if you’re selling organic products like herbs or foods, you’ll have to consider things like shelf life, so living too far away from your chosen market might become an issue. Also, make sure your market is big enough that it can sustain your business and that your products are good enough to make them stay.

• Find your “farm.”

  As mentioned above, agricultural businesses don’t always have to be based in an actual farm. If you’re a micro or small business catering to a niche market, there’s nothing wrong with growing your produce from a backyard or garden, as long as you make sure the quality remains. And of course, each agriculture business has its own space and location needs. For example, if you’re thinking of raising chickens in order to sell eggs, you’ll need to know the optimal living conditions for these chickens. Generally speaking, for any agribusiness, there needs to be a lot of space, and usually this space is outdoors. So if you don’t have that, maybe you should consider renting out a place or sticking with something that needs less room.

• Register your business.

  Starting an agribusiness may sound much easier now than it was before, but don’t forget that there are still laws governing every business venture. Like any enterprise, it will have to be registered, and you will have to comply with the laws put up by the Department of Agriculture as well as the agency directly responsible for your industry (for example, the National Dairy Authority is responsible if you’re producing milk and cheese to sell at farmers’ markets).

• Commit yourself to quality.

  Finally, the most important thing you have to do (not just when starting your business but all throughout the journey) is to commit yourself to the product. Be extra careful about the consistency and quality of what you’re putting out into the market. Know that your market is trusting you with their health, which is a big responsibility. So take the necessary precautions, always put your best into growing and harvesting your products, and make sure you aim for high quality in every step of the process, from growth to delivery.

Starting an agricultural business may be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding and helpful. Not only will you be making the world a healthier place, you’ll also be part of the movement toward empowering the country’s agricultural sector and improving our economy. As the Philippine market becomes more and more aware of the benefits of organic living, you’ll be earning quite well from it, too.

Ready to open your business? Check mybusiness.globe.com.ph for your connectivity and digital needs.