An urban farming entrepreneur's guide to choosing the right crops

The Battle Between Production & Demand

On the production side, you can only grow based on your location, grow system, project budget, size, etc. On the demand side, however, you only want to grow something for which there will be sufficient demand at a price which allows your business to function profitably. The conflict between the two is why agricultural businesses often fail.

When you start this process, both the production and demand side will consist of numerous crop options. After going back-and-forth to make sure the crop is viable on both sides, you'll be left with a subset of crops that are feasible to grow and potentially profitable. The next step is to discuss these potential crops in depth with your head grower to determine feasibility at a deeper level.

According to the 2020 CEA Census, 49% of founders surveyed had no prior agricultural experience. This lack of experience and CEA knowledge is the primary reason for failed businesses. Use our Commercial Urban Farming course to help navigate you through the tricky world of CEA. Alongside the five other experts, my lesson delves into "Understanding Your Market & Choosing Your Crops", and involves guidance on: how to conduct proper market research, marketing & selling your product, and evaluating various sales channels.

The Role of Geographic Location & Grow Systems

Geographic location is one of the most important factors in determining the right crop, primarily due to restrictions of the local climate, and the production requirements of the crop. While it is technically possible to grow almost any crop anywhere, the question stands whether or not it is economically feasible to do so.

Continue reading.

Written By: David Ceaser, Lead Agronomist at Agritecture

All Photo Courtesy of Agritecture

Source: Agritecture