How can you save money in agribusiness by going organic?

1 Assess your resources

Before you decide to go organic, you need to evaluate your current situation and identify your strengths and weaknesses. What kind of crops or livestock do you produce? What are your markets and customers? What are your inputs and expenses? How much land, water, and labor do you have? How do you manage pests, diseases, and weeds? These questions will help you determine how feasible and profitable going organic is for you.

2 Plan your strategy

Once you have a clear picture of your resources, you need to plan your strategy for going organic. This involves setting your goals, choosing your certification standards, designing your production system, and budgeting your costs and revenues. You also need to consider the transition period, which can take up to three years depending on your type of operation. During this time, you have to follow the organic rules but cannot sell your products as organic. This can affect your cash flow and profitability, so you need to plan accordingly.

3 Seek support and advice

Going organic can be challenging, especially if you are new to the concept or have limited experience. That's why you need to seek support and advice from various sources, such as other organic farmers, extension agents, consultants, researchers, and organizations. They can provide you with valuable information, guidance, training, and networking opportunities. You can also benefit from various programs and incentives that support organic agriculture, such as grants, loans, subsidies, and tax breaks.

4 Optimize your inputs and outputs

One of the main ways to save money in agribusiness by going organic is to optimize your inputs and outputs. This means using resources efficiently, minimizing waste, and maximizing value. For example, you can use organic fertilizers and composts instead of synthetic ones, rotate crops and integrate animals to improve soil health and fertility, use biological and cultural methods to control pests and diseases, and diversify your products and markets to increase your income and reduce your risks.

5 Monitor and evaluate your performance

Finally, you need to monitor and evaluate your performance regularly to see if you are achieving your goals and meeting the organic standards. You can use various tools and indicators, such as records, audits, inspections, and feedback, to assess your progress and identify areas for improvement. You can also compare your results with other organic or conventional farmers to see how you fare in terms of costs, revenues, yields, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Going organic can be a rewarding and profitable decision for agribusinesses that are willing to invest time, money, and effort. By following these tips, you can save money in agribusiness by going organic and enjoy the benefits of a more sustainable and competitive operation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?