Container farming in the city

( Conclusion )

There are many things that could be gained from container farming. Aside from saving money and having that satisfaction of growing your own fruits and vegetables, doing this on a larger scale could actually be an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs.

A particularly useful and informative section of the best-selling book: Urban Agriculture: A step-by-step guide to successful container farming in the city, is chapter 5 contributed by Olivia Limpe-Aw who discusses the possibility of implementing a community-based urban agriculture program. Limpe-Aw also illustrates an urban agriculture business model for would be entrepreneurs.

Limpe-Aw says it is possible to enlarge the scope of urban agriculture by involving the whole community. She says the barangays will have a critical role in the initiation, development, implementation, monitoring and regulation of an urban agriculture business program.

For one, the barangay leaders will help identify opportunities and business potentials while coaxing residents to work together on the program.

Limpe-Aw says there are several means to mobilize a community. For instance, some households may want to just undertake container farming and buy most of their supplies like seeds, compost, garden soil and container. This means business opportunities for other community members.

Thus, the work can be divided among themselves. There will be those in charge of composting; others will specialize in recycling and preparation of containers for use as planters; others can set up buying centers for recycled containers.

Along the way, these urban farmers become more efficient and productive as their skills and techniques improve.

"When this happens, production normally starts to exceed consumption and this becomes an opportunity for the household to generate additional income. Excess produce can be sold to a weekly neighborhood flea market or to fruit and vegetable stalls in the public market or may be processed into higher value products… If there is a food processing plant or restaurants in the neighborhood, the barangay can help residents enter into a supply agreement for delivery of whatever fruits and vegetables they regularly purchase," says Limpe-Aw.

Limpe-Aw also discusses an urban agriculture business model for aspiring entrepreneurs. She says that for an agribusiness venture to be successful, the 3Ms should be present, market-driven, management and marketing-oriented.

Any business must always be market-driven. She says entrepreneurs should size up consumer demand and competition. It is also a must to have inputs that are readily available. Raw materials, human resources, space, capital must be sufficient to run a business efficiently.

After this is done, an intelligent decision could be made on what product or service to offer, who to offer to, how much to produce, and at what prices to sell.

The next requirement is to have good management. To build credibility and business reputation, Limpe-Aw says an entrepreneur must control his finance, inventory, sales, collections, receivables, manage his cash properly so he can make prompt payments to his suppliers, workers and meet all other financial obligations.

Also, efficient quality-based production needs to be strictly enforced – from materials to production processes.

"A properly managed enterprise has a very good potential to grow and established a reputable image for itself and the products and services it offers," says Limpe-Aw.

The third M – marketing oriented is needed to sustain and increase the demand for products and services.

Limpe-Aw stresses that good quality and attractive packaging, promotions and good customer service will develop customer loyalty.

On the other hand, establishing sales network will expand one’s market base while an effective logistics system will allow for proper storage and movement of goods to customers.

"Keep in touch with your market and observe changing tastes and trends. This will provide you with ideas and opportunities to improve existing products, develop new products and expand markets," says Limpe-Aw.

Another bit of advice from Limpe-Aw is for entrepreneurs to constantly educate themselves.

"Education is the key to the practice of the 3Ms. Knowing the basic technology, marketing and management principles won’t be enough. To succeed, one must strive to improve all aspects of the business and be attuned to continuing improvements and developments in management, technologies and benchmark on practices."

There are many ways to do this through workshops, seminars of various government and non-government agencies.