Home FAQ Hydroponics Summary of a talk on "Hydroponics as a business" Growth potential for hydroponic production. Consumer demand for fresh food Looks Size Colour Cleanliness Presentation Feel Smell Taste Absence of toxins...

Growth potential for hydroponic production.
Consumer demand for fresh food
Looks
Size
Colour
Cleanliness
Presentation
Feel
Smell
Taste
Absence of toxins

Local buyers
Within the State
Interstate
Export

Advantages & disadvantages of hydroponic growing.

Advantages:

• Uniformity
• Predictability
• Working conditions
• Crop cleanliness

Disadvantages:

• Higher set up costs
• Running costs
• Reliance on human input
• Reliance on machinery/power

Skills required

a) Horticultural

• Interest
• Know your plants
• Factors affecting all the growth stages
• Disease control
• Pest control
• Manual skills including minor repairs

b) Business

• Cash flows
• Cost control
• Budgeting
• Finance
• Forcasting
• Interpersonal skills
• Market Intelligence
• Planning
• Purchasing
• Research & Development
• Selling
• Technical Training
• Taxation
• Work habits

Planning - check list of things to do.
See separate list

Getting it all together - a case study

Bill Smith
Only half of the team
Wife to do distribution & administration
manufacturing of by products
Bill - Horticultural background
Business training
Long road

The importance of co-operation between growers
Work as a loose co-operative
Producers need to work together to

Set standards
Variety
Size
Colour
Packaging

Establish identity
Easily recognised
Build up of consumer trust

Maintain product value

Help new producers

Education
Training
Information
Marketing

Summary

Do you have the necessary skills ?

Do you really want to get into intensive horticulture ?

Are you prepared for all the problems of running a small business ?

Questions & answers

Suggested reading list