Fruit farming includes the cultivations of fruit crops and nuts. There are numerous qualities and types available. Whether a professional farmer or a novice, a fruit business is possible with proper planning.

So, what do we need to know? Here, this article is completely discussion on starting a fruit farming business.

1. Find your Fruits

There are many types of fruits and many varieties of that. Look for the fruits you would like to cultivate. A farm can’t produce all kinds of fruits. So, look for what you can take up and what works for you.

When looking for seedlings or seeds from the nursery, try visiting a nursery nearby or with similar climatic conditions to your place. Also, always get vigorous seedlings or seeds to ensure a higher success rate for your plants.

If there are a few cultivars for the fruits you are looking for, do look out for the SPBT certified nurseries on the government website. The Department of Agriculture Malaysia has verified their planting materials, ensuring the authenticity of saplings and seeds sold.

Please find the best varieties or cultivars available that works for you; eventually, it will lead to a profitable fruit farming business. You want them to produce a high yield and have a steady demand in the market around your area.

2. Study Fruit Chosen

Make sure you do your homework on the fruit chosen and have a basic knowledge about them. An excellent way to gain understanding is by getting hands-on practices and working with a farmer specialising in the cultivation of the fruit.

Learn how to plant it, care and the maintenance processes required. Such as the right timing for fertilising, harvesting, and so on.

Also important to know the risk associated with it. For example, how resistant is this fruit to pests and diseases, and can you manage it?

3. The Soil

The land’s soil type and composition are significant determinants for effective yield and growth. So, it is essential to do your soil test to determine the physical and chemical properties. The test results will govern how much additional composed humus and other essential minerals are needed.

Thus, making sure optimum vital nutrients, soil conditions for the preparation of land for cultivation.

The other factors, such as the soil pH, total sunlight exposure, total annual rainfall, annual wind speed, etc. , also affect the yield and growth of crops.

You may want to contact the Department of Agriculture Malaysia, requesting for field examination that includes a soil test. They will have their team to assist you in starting your farm business.

4. Planting Good Starter Trees and Best Seedlings

After getting the saplings or seedlings and the soil ready, it is time to plant. First, dig a hole more expansive than the plant, put it directly in the centre of the pit, and cover the roots well with soil.

You may want to fence up every plant to protect them from wild animal damage. This is particularly important for your long-term fruit trees, as they take a long time to grow and are left alone most time!

5. Disease and Pest Control

Whether you like it or not, diseases and pests will always be there! Different or similar diseases and pests can target different or similar fruit trees.

Therefore, study the types of diseases and pests you will face and source ways to control them well before it starts. Different diseases and pests will have different ways of control. For an instant, ladybugs are deployed as biological controls of insect pests like aphids and mealybugs.

Ultimately, you must keep an eye on the plant to ensure you catch the bugs early for effective diseases and pests management.

6. Maintenance and Care

General care and maintenance to ensure the best growth possible for your fruit crops! Water the plant whenever it looks dry, especially during heat season.

Remember to add compost; it promotes beneficial microorganisms that improve soil biodiversity and root growth.

Also, fertilise them to boost plant health and growth. Be sure to use fertiliser at the recommended rate to prevent loss of fertiliser. You don’t want to waste money by putting too much fertiliser that gets washed away.

Prune regularly to keep the shape of the plant. Cut any unwanted shoots away or shoots appearing at weird places, making harvesting difficult.

7. Source for The Market On Time

Since fruits and vegetables are highly perishable, it is wise to look for customers while waiting to grow. It is crucial to always source for new and additional customers to ensure that you can confidently sell your products when it is ready for harvest.

You don’t want to get discouraged for your efforts so far because you couldn’t sell your products.

8. Harvesting & Storage

Once they were harvested at full size and the standard fruit colour when ripening. Fruits and vegetables should be sold or kept in optimum storage locations. They are not to be stored for an extended period because they can perish quickly unless otherwise frozen.

Fruits are an essential food source that is part of our daily meals. They are also used in many things such as drinks, cosmetics, beauty products, and other goods. Therefore, making fruit farming business lucrative!

This article aims to provide you with essential information to plan and strategise your fruit farming business.