Nowadays, you have seen microgreens has become a trendy topic on the internet, and you might have seen some posts, news articles and some farmers’ stories that they make lakhs of rupees per month by growing microgreens at our homes right? But is that actually true or just exaggerated marketing? Let’s break down some basic facts in simple terms so that everyone can understand the reality of microgreens farming.
We cover some Key questions in that article
- What are Microgreens?
- The Hype vs Reality of Microgreens
- Who buys microgreens?
- What are the misconceptions About microgreen farming?
- Why Are Some Individuals and Companies Overhyping Microgreens?
- Should You Start Microgreens Farming?
What are Microgreens?
Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs that are harvested early, usually between 7 to 14 days after their germination. Microgreens are marketed as “Superfoods”, and that’s why they are more popular due to their claimed health benefits.
The Hype vs Reality of Microgreens
These days, everyone thinks of becoming a millionaire in a very short time, and they find the shortcut and easy method to become a millionaire in a few months. Microgreens farming has been marketed in such a way that it seems like an easy way to earn lakhs of rupees per month from their home. But is that really possible? The true and simple answer to that question is no; there is not an easy way to earn lakhs of rupees in a month, and some individuals and companies claim that people earn lakhs every month from microgreens are often exaggerated to make them sound more attractive, which they can attract more people.
Let’s take a closer look at the actual income potential and why you might not earn as much as advertised.
- Microgreens are sold at around ₹100 to ₹200 per 100 grams in the retail market (B2C).
- The Price of 1 kg of microgreens is around ₹1000 to ₹2000 in the retail market (B2C).
- To make ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh, you’d need to sell about 10 kilograms of microgreens per month.
- That means you need a large-scale setup with a lot of space, the right equipment, and consistent growing cycles.
Remember, this is just your total revenue, not your total profit. You will need to deduct your expenses and cultivation costs from the total revenue to find your total profit. After the deduction of these expenses, your actual profit could be around ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh a year in retail (B2C).
If you sell your microgreens in the wholesale Market, then the price of microgreens ranges between ₹50 to ₹100 100 per gram, and for the cost of 1 kg, it ranges between ₹500 to ₹1000. Don’t forget that it is your total revenue, not a total profit, and to find the total profit, you need to subtract your cultivation cost and miscellaneous expenses.
Who Buys Microgreens?
Microgreens are not something the average person consumes daily because they are relatively expensive. Microgreens are considered a luxury food item due to their high price; that way, the actual customer base for microgreens is very targeted. So, who is the actual customer base for microgreens? Typically, the following groups:
- Health-conscious people: Those who are focused on nutrition and are willing to pay for healthy food options.
- Gym enthusiasts: People who want to include nutrient-dense foods in their diet.
- Patients and pregnant women: Some people believe that microgreens are good for health during recovery or pregnancy.
- High-end restaurants and cafes: Microgreens are often used by chefs to garnish dishes or add a fresh, healthy element to meals.
It’s important to remember that microgreens have a niche market. It’s not something that everyone buys and eats regularly due to their high nutrient content and high price, so your customer base will be limited.
What are the misconceptions about microgreens farming?
There are some common misconceptions about microgreens farming that need to be cleared up:
- Special Seeds Required? The most common misconception about microgreens farming is that a special type of seed is required to grow them at home. However, this is not true; you can use any clean, and untreated seed to grow microgreens at your home. However, the seeding rate for microgreens is higher compared to other types of farming.
- High Market Demand? Some people spread misconceptions about microgreens having high demand in the market. But it is not exactly true that microgreens have demand in the market, but as they said it has a targeted audience based on their high nutritional value and high price.
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Easy to Grow? Microgreens can be grown at home with minimal equipment and in a small area, but they still require proper attention and care. You need to ensure the right amount of light, water, and nutrients to get a good harvest.
What are the challenges in microgreens farming?
Growing microgreens might seem easy, but it comes with some challenges during farming:
- Perishable Nature: Microgreens have a limited shelf life due to their perishable nature, which makes them more susceptible to rapid spoilage. This necessitates refrigeration to prevent them from spoiling and makes the long shelf life of the microgreens.
- Attention to Detail: You need to monitor the growing conditions closely, ensuring the right light, water, and soil conditions for optimal growth of microgreens.
- High Initial Costs: Setting up a microgreens farm requires an investment in equipment, trays, seeds, and possibly a soilless growing system.
- Justification for Prices: Many farmers justify the high prices due to the labour and time involved in growing microgreens. But, with new growing methods, like hydroponics, it’s becoming more accessible.
Why Are Some Individuals and Companies Overhyping Microgreens?
Many individuals or companies claim that they earn ₹5 lakhs per month growing microgreens. However, these figures are often misleading because they usually represent net revenue (the total amount earned) rather than net profit (actual earnings after deducting expenses). This can mislead farmers who may think they will get quick and large returns from microgreens farming.
- High Initial Costs: Growing microgreens, especially at a larger scale, involves investment in trays, lighting systems, water management, and other equipment. Many companies that promote microgreen farming make profits by selling this expensive equipment to farmers who may not be fully aware of the true costs and profits involved.
- Costly Training and Workshops: Some individuals or companies conduct expensive training programs and workshops; they charge thousands of rupees per day as a fee to teach farmers about microgreens. While they promise high returns from microgreens, they don’t give any information about the problems that you face during microgreen farming. These programs often increase your investment costs without guaranteeing real profits.
- Limited Consumer Market: Microgreens have a small and specific consumer base, such as health-conscious individuals, gym-goers, pregnant women, or high-end restaurants. It’s not a product that everyone consumes daily and affords due to their high price and high nutritional value, which limits the scalability of microgreen farming and the potential profits.
Should You Start Microgreens Farming?
If you think about starting microgreens farming, keep your expectations realistic. Do not believe in exaggerated profit claims. You can make a decent income if you manage your setup properly but don’t expect that you will become a millionaire in a month.
Microgreens have a niche market, and the customer base is small. If you have access to high-end customers like restaurants or health-conscious consumers, you could make a good profit. But for the average person, it might take time to grow a stable income from microgreens.
Conclusion:
Microgreens farming is not a scam, but it is overhyped in terms of the profits that people claim to make. If you are interested in microgreen farming, go ahead and try it, but don’t expect to make lakhs of rupees per month. Focus on growing a loyal customer base and managing your costs, and remember that microgreens are a luxury item, not a daily essential for most people.
You can also use the FARME NEAR ME to sell your microgreens directly to customers who want to buy the microgreens.