Production targets and business plans
A production target says what and how much to grow: for example 40 pots of marigold by the festival. A good target uses past sales, the land and workers we have, and what buyers want.
A business plan lists the money side.
- Cost = seeds, soil, pots, water, labour, transport.
- Income = number sold × price.
- Profit = income − cost. If it is negative it is a loss.
The break-even price is the price at which income equals cost.
Managing production processes
Each crop follows steps: sow → transplant → care (water, feed, weeding, pest check) → harvest → pack. Use a calendar and a record sheet. At every step check quality and note dates, amounts and problems. Records show where money or plants are lost and help to plan the next season.
Timing matters most for flowers: they must be ready on the day buyers need them, so growers count backwards from the festival date.
Distribution and sales
Ways to sell:
- Direct: farm shop, fair or online. The farmer keeps the biggest share but must find the buyers.
- Co-operative or market: a group sells together, shares costs and gets better bargaining power.
- Wholesaler: easy and fast, but a smaller share.
Good packing, grading (sorting by size and quality) and labelling help flowers to get a better price. Fresh flowers need cold storage and quick transport.
Environment-friendly flower production
Flower farming can harm soil, water and wildlife if too many chemicals are used. Better ways:
- Integrated pest management: check often, use helpful insects and traps first, spray only if needed.
- Save water: drip pipes, mulch and collecting rainwater.
- Soil care: compost, crop rotation.
- Waste: compost old plants, reuse pots, cut plastic.
These steps protect health, may save money and can attract buyers who like green products.
Try it
In the 3D, keep pots at 40 and cost at 4. Move the price until the profit becomes zero: that is the break-even price. Then make a table for a plant you can grow at home with the cost of seed, soil and a pot.
Key formulas and definitions
- Total cost = number of pots × cost per pot
- Income = number sold × price per pot
- Profit = income − cost
- Break-even price = cost per pot (when all pots are sold)
- Farmer share % = farmer's price ÷ final price × 100
Worked examples
1. 40 pots cost 4 each to grow and sell at 5. Find the profit.
Cost = 40 × 4 = 160. Income = 40 × 5 = 200. Profit = 200 − 160 = 40.
2. At what price does the farm break even in the case above?
Break-even price = cost per pot = 4 (when all 40 are sold).
3. If only 30 of the 40 pots are sold at 5, what is the result?
Cost = 160 (all pots were grown). Income = 30 × 5 = 150. Profit = 150 − 160 = −10, so a loss of 10.
4. A wholesaler pays 6 for a pot sold in a shop for 10. What share does the grower get?
6 ÷ 10 × 100 = 60 percent.
5. A grower plans 60 pots, cost 3 each, price 6. Find cost, income, profit.
Cost = 180, income = 360, profit = 180.
6. Why should a grower keep a record sheet?
It shows costs, dates and problems at each step, so the grower can plan better and find where money is lost.
Common mistakes
- Counting only income and forgetting cost. Profit needs both.
- Forgetting unsold pots: you still paid to grow them.
- Choosing a sales route only by price without thinking about time and freshness.
- Spraying on a fixed date instead of checking the plants first.