Are you looking forward to starting your own agriculture business? Looking for agriculture business ideas? Well, the first step is obviously to select the sector in which you want to invest. Though the service sector has seen tremendous growth in recent years, the agricultural sector still remains the heart of Indian business and investment.
Hence if you are a beginner for sure-shot gains, look for low-investment agriculture business ideas that have the potential of providing good returns.
Now, agriculture is a vast sector. It has several wings and your next step is to choose the area in which you want to invest. Which are the most lucrative yet low-investment business areas in agriculture? Let’s check out the most profitable agricultural business ideas and opportunities.
List of 50 Agriculture Business Ideas
1. Rice Cultivation
Rice is one of the most consumed grains in the world. This is the reason the cultivation of rice is considered one of the most profitable businesses in the world. So if you have a swampy and waterlogged area in hand go for rice cultivation, this is one of the most popular agriculture business ideas in the country.
2. Vegetable Cultivation
If rice is the staple food of many races around the world, vegetables are not far behind. Tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumber are some of the most eaten vegetables around the globe. These vegetables are not only cost-effective but also can be grown during the months in which you cannot grow rice and other grains; like carrots, which can be grown along with watermelons and cucumbers.
3. Potato Cultivation
There are various kinds of potatoes eaten throughout the world; sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes are two such kinds. You can export potatoes easily as these have a long life. Potatoes are not only consumed at home but are also used widely by fast-food chains and chip makers. Hence this crop has a large customer base, claiming a 3rd position among the top 50 agricultural business ideas.
Learn More: How to Start Potato Chips Manufacturing Business
4. Fruits Plantation
Mangoes, strawberries, papaya, guava, cashew nuts, oranges, apples, pawpaw, and cherry are some of the most eaten fruits around the world. Before choosing which fruit you want to produce, explore the local market to understand the demand.
Fruits also have a large market because, besides domestic requirements, these are used to prepare jams and salads. Fruits like apples can last for a large span of time when properly packed.
5. Cotton Wool Cultivation
Cotton and wool are considered cash crops as these provide high returns with minimal investment. These are major components of the garments industry and hence you will never have a limited number of customers; be it summer or winter.
6. Rubber Plantation
This is also known as an economic crop. Rubber is used in various kinds of industries, from the manufacture of bags, and containers to electrical and mechanical products. Rubber is believed to be an investment for life, serving from one generation to the other. Hence this is one of the best agriculture ideas which takes care of your future generations as well.
7. Maize Cultivation
Maize is another popular crop for its variety of usage; besides serving as a staple food, it is also used as flour and to make beer. It can be cultivated throughout the year and hence you can start getting returns on your investment quite fast in maize cultivation.
8. Tea and Coffee Cultivation
Beverages are another popular consumable globally. If you have the right kind of soil, tea and coffee can serve as cash crops for you. Tea and coffee are top export items and can bring in a lot of returns on your investment. So this is one of the best agricultural business ideas these days.
9. Sugarcane Plantation
Sugar, jaggery, and sugarcane juice are just a few forms in which people consume sugarcane on regular basis. If you want a business that caters to both domestic and international markets equally, go for sugarcane cultivation.
10. Bamboo Cultivation
Cultivating bamboo is an economical business with high returns. Bamboos grow fast and are used widely as a building material, to make handicrafts, for paper manufacture, for preparing medical instruments, for constructing weapons, and also as fiber.
11. Flower Plantation
Be it a moment of happiness or sadness, be it love or compassion, a bouquet of flowers serves as an apt gift in any condition. So depending on the soil type at your place go for a flower plantation. This is one of the best agriculture business ideas for those who love flowers.
Read: How to Start a Flower Business
12. Mushroom Cultivation
This is one of the edibles which occur naturally. This is the reason the cultivation of mushrooms is economical. It is well known for its rich nutritious values and hence is in large demand throughout the world. Mushroom cultivation is among the most lucrative home-based agriculture business ideas that can be started with little investment.
13. Livestock Breeding
Cattle rearing is a different kind of agro-based business. Get a cattle ranch ( the place where bullocks, cows, ox, bulls, camels, and calves are kept) and start your cattle rearing business.
14. Pig Breeding
Pork is another popular meat item in India. Pig breeding is easy and lucrative business, which can be started under any environmental condition.
15. Fishery
Most people in India eat fish. Trout, salmon, rohu, catfish, Pomfret, and prawn are some of the most eaten fish around the world. Get a tank or pond, fingerlings, and fish feed, and your business is in place.
16. Goats and Sheep Rearing
Besides cattle, breeding goats and sheep also provide a lucrative business. Sheep are reared for wool while goats provide meat which is consumed globally.
17. Snail Rearing
Snail rearing requires a very low investment. People who are scared of the calorie intake caused by beef or pork resort to snail meat, which is very delicious and nutritious.
18. Poultry
Chicken is another sumptuous food item in the world. Hens, quails, Guinea fowls, turkeys, and ducks have a large market. Besides meat, having poultry means you also have the egg market in hand.
Learn More: How To Start Poultry Business
19. Bee Cultivation
Honey is considered a safe sweetener. It is also used as a medicine and so bee cultivation is one of many popular good agricultural business ideas.
20. Bird Breeding
Birds are loved by people around the globe and hence are sold as pets worldwide. Breed birds like parrots, which have a good market.
21. Fertilizer Manufacturing
Fertilizer is inevitable for any crop cultivation. It is a cost-effective business with high gains. From individual farmers to wholesalers and the government, fertilizer has a large customer base.
22. Pesticide Manufacturing
Now, the same fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides are mandatory for healthy crop growth. Besides preventing insects and fungal growth in fields, these are also used to preserve grains, fruits, and vegetables for longer periods.
23. Fumigation
This service refers to the prevention of unwanted weeds and insects on the field and hence is required by every farmer. You need a license to start this business, that is it and then you can get as much profit as you want, that too with low investment.
24. Perfume Production
Air fresheners and perfumes are natural products. Specific plants and flowers are used to prepare aromas. Aromatics have a global market and hence is a good agricultural business idea.
25. Jute Cultivation
Jute bags are known to be environment-friendly and more and more people are shifting from plastic bags to this kind of eco-friendly bags. It is also used to prepare handicrafts and home décor. This agricultural business requires low investment but has a wide scope.
26. Distributor
Now, while so many people are engaged in the production of grains, vegetables, and fruits, who is going to arrange the marketing of these products? The distribution of agricultural products is an important business. So if you do not want to get into cultivation start as a distributor; just you need to have cold storage and vehicles to get going.
27. Bag Manufacturer
Agricultural products are generally transported in bags. Food items and natural products are perishable items and need to be stored properly. Take up this responsibility and be a manufacturer of agricultural bags; this has a large market and hence is a profitable business.
Learn More: How to Start Jute Bag Manufacturing Business
28. Spice Plantation
Spices are key ingredients in any gourmet. If you have the right soil for spice production this can prove to be a very good source of income; cardamom, turmeric, cumin, and cloves are some of the most wanted spices.
29. Tobacco Cultivation
Tobacco has a readily available market both locally and internationally. A large number of companies are there looking for high-quality tobacco. If the local laws allow tobacco cultivation, it can be among the most lucrative agriculture business ideas for you to consider.
30. Herb Cultivation
Herbs play a pivotal role in the drug manufacturing industry. Herbs are in high demand throughout the world and also do not require much investment.
31. Timber Production
Wood is one of the most precious agricultural products. Every part of a timber tree is usable and hence planting the right tree can be profitable. There are both easy-to-grow and fast-growing plants; you can choose one as per your feasibility. Timber is not only used as a building material but also as a craft fiber and for making ornamentals.
32. Nursery
Where do the farmers get the seeds and twigs? From a nursey; so this is one of the most cost-effective agricultural business ideas these days. Set up your own nursery, and grow and sell high-quality plants for infinite profits.
33. Start a Dairy Farm
The skin, milk, manure, and meat of cattle have a large market, making it a profitable business. So if you have enough space start your business with domestic animals like cows; start your franchisee business with milk and cheese.
34. Oil Production
Be it for cooking purposes, cosmetics, or medicinal purposes, oil has a variety of uses throughout the world. If you are looking for a low-investment agricultural business, cultivate plants like mustard, coconut, and palm.
35. Pet Food Production
Pet food has immense demand both by households and livestock breeders. To produce crops that cater to pet food production.
36. Worm Breeding
Compost is used by farmers for food growing. Worms are also in high demand by fisheries and people who love fishing. So start your own agricultural business with worm breeding.
37. Butterfly Farm
Gardeners are often in need of butterflies to grow flowers. This field of agriculture is yet to receive much attention and hence has a high scope for development. Get a butterfly colony and high profits are ensured.
38. Potted Plant Sale
Nowadays many people do not want to bear the hassle of developing a garden all by themselves; it is easier to place readymade potted plants in the garden or balcony. So help people decorate their houses by selling potted plants. This is a unique agricultural business idea due to its low investment and high return scope.
39. Flour Production
This agricultural business idea involves getting buckets of corn, yam, bean, or maize, drying these, and grinding them into flour. Flour has a global market and hence is a profitable business.
40. Fish Hatching
Fisheries also require fingerlings along with the fish feed. Start a fish hatching and consulting business to help farmers get and grow good quality fish.
41. Poultry Equipment Manufacturing
This agricultural idea involves engaging artisans and preparing cages and other necessary tools required in broilers.
42. Urban Agriculture
Low on space? Staying in a city? Still, agriculture is possible. Plant some crops in small or vertical containers and get some extra income. Urban agriculture is among the most profitable agriculture business ideas according to experts in the coming days.
43. Organic Gardening
The demand for organic farm products is on the rise in India. People are more concerned about their health these days and hence this kind of gardening is in high demand.
44. Renting Agricultural Equipment
If you can invest a bit more money you can buy agricultural equipment and rent these to farmers. Small farmers are often reluctant to buy expensive tools and hence this kind of service is popular.
45. Farm Consultation Service
If you have adequate knowledge of agriculture along with academic certificates you can start your agricultural consultation service. These days farmers are keener on learning advanced scientific agriculture methods and so this kind of service is high in demand.
46. Farm Sitting
Sometimes farmers require people to protect their farms from trespassers. Create a team and offer security services. This is a new agricultural idea that is in great demand these days.
47. Eco-Tourism
These days, people often look for escapades from the honking horns and smoke of city life. They love to have a taste of village life; start their agro-tourism business and let people know about agriculture, stroll on the green fields and taste authentic local food.
48. Create a Small Zoo
Form a small zoo with birds, fish, and domestic animals, and invite people to your zoo. You can also start this agricultural idea as a part-time business along with livestock breeding.
49. Educational Farm
Students interested in agricultural study often need hands-on experience. If you have enough knowledge in starting and running a farm and owning a piece of land then coordinate with universities and help students learn about agriculture. This is both a hassle-free and lucrative educational business idea.
50. Planting Service
If you do not own land or want to have enough experience before starting your own agricultural business, the best idea is to start working with other farmers. This freelancing business comes with zero financial investment.
These are our selected agriculture business ideas that have ample scope for young entrepreneurs to enter this field and make good money if planned properly.
Hello, I’m Rupak Chakrabarty, a passionate advocate for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the driving force behind MUVSI Consulting, where I serve as a dedicated small business coach. With years of experience in the entrepreneurial world and a deep-rooted commitment to helping SMEs thrive, I bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and guidance to aspiring and established business owners alike.