There is a huge demand for various crops that you can grow at home to earn an extra income. Nowadays, many youths are going into agriculture and they never stopped looking for opportunities and trying out new ideas. Agriculture may not be a glamorous field, but it can give excellent returns, provided the right ecosystem is put in place. Below are 7 profitable cash crops that are ideal for small farms and it’s a call for youngster to venture in agriculture.
Maize
Maize has been one of the most prominent crops in the country for a long time. Harvesting maize require a fair amount of space. But it can be used for everything from animal feed to fuel. In 2017, Malaysia imported around 3.7 million tons of grain corn valued about RM 3 billion. Grain corn also is one of the important commodities as it is the main component of animal feeds.
Chillies
Growing chillies in Malaysia is common. There is about 2,900 hectare of chili was grown anually for fresh consumption especially for Red Chili. Chillies should be ready for picking after about 5 to 8 months depending on location and temperatures although outdoor growing may need up to another 8 weeks.
Read: Ayu Damit, A Sabahan Singer Turned Entrepreneur Making Money in Agriculture
Gourmet mushrooms
Mushrooms are an ideal specialty crop for urban farmers, as they are grown indoors and produce a very high return per square foot. Growing mushrooms for profit can produce a great return in a small space. The two most widely grown gourmet mushrooms are oyster and shiitake, which are available fresh or dried in many grocery stores.
Banana
Bananas are not only the world’s most popular fruit, they are loved by many Malaysians. It is the most produced fruit in 2017. Domestic banana prices also differ according to varieties. In 2018, the Berangan bananas fetch the highest farm price (RM2.25/kg), while the Tanduk bananas fetch the highest wholesale (RM3.70/kg). Farmers earn 34 to 50% of the price consumer pay when they buy bananas in stores.
Pineapple
Pineapples has a longer shelf life and can thus withstand longer shipping hours. The maturity period for pineapple is only 12 months and with the application of hormones, the wait for the harvest can be even shorter. All parts of the pineapple from seeds to the leaves are useful and will not go to waste. Due to its superior qualities, MD2 pineapples can command three times the price of other pineapples varieties.
Durian
The “King of Fruits” is a seasonal fruit that is extensively grown in tropical regions. Durian has also been identified as a new source of agricultural wealth which includes the coconut and the pineapple. The best time for harvesting the domestic and export markets is during the peak seasons. The peak season typically runs for three to four months for the harvest of fresh durians. During the peak season, pulp and paste durian can be substituted for fresh whole fruits and can retain its shelf-life for two years. The demand for durians increases extremely nowadays and it has become popular in the China market.
Coconut
Coconuts are Malaysia’s fourth largest industrial crop behind oil palm, rubber and rice with most of the plantations found in Sabah and Sarawak. According to a report by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), the country is among the top 10 coconut producers in the world. Coconut is a demanding crop as it’s widely used in cooking.
