Prices for tobacco products in the CIS countries inevitably grow up, so many aspiring entrepreneurs are thinking about how to organize tobacco production at home, then to sell people a natural product. This article will talk about what tobacco growing is like a business in the Russian Federation: what are the best varieties to grow? What does legislation say about selling tobacco? What is the profitability of this company?
The relevance of the tobacco business in Russia
According to reliable sources, about 65 percent of men and 30 percent of women smoke in Russia, which is about 40 percent of the total population. It is not difficult to assume that the demand for tobacco products remains consistently high, despite the annual increase in the price of cigarettes and tobacco. That is why many people began to switch to a "home product", which costs several times cheaper than any pack of cigarettes.
In addition, do not forget that tobacco grown with your own hands does much less harm to human health than the products that can be purchased in stores today. The fact is that even the best cigarettes will almost certainly contain various chemical impurities, and instead of tobacco, the manufacturer quite often uses the usual shag - cuttings, stems and rotten tobacco leaves - everything, except for a good and high-quality leaf from the plantation.
Why is it important to draw up a business plan?
If you decide to organize industrial cultivation of tobacco, then you should first draw up a competent business plan that takes into account the specifics of this production. Why do you need to do this?
Firstly, to set clear goals and objectives. The goal, written on a piece of paper, has much more weight than the one that is held in the thoughts of the entrepreneur, because it can be changed at any time.
Secondly, a well-designed business plan allows you to determine the cost of production, profitability of the business and approximate payback periods. It may be unprofitable to grow tobacco in your community.
Thirdly, the constant presence of a business plan in front of your eyes allows you to see the pros and cons of your production, so you will not forget about them at the most crucial moment.
In addition, a business plan is needed to attract the attention of investors. If you can prove to the bank or shareholders how profitable your company is for investing, then they will invest heavily in your production.
Market analysis - the first point of a business plan
Any specialist in tobacco growing will tell you that before starting production in a particular locality, you must first analyze the tobacco market in your area. Which cigarettes are most in demand? What is their average cost? Low cost or high quality - which of the population prefers and so on.
Undoubtedly, one should also understand exactly where you will sell your products - in a small kiosk, in the market or you will take it to the nearest store, having agreed with its owner about mutually beneficial cooperation. If you are sure that high-quality tobacco will be in good demand, then you should proceed with the implementation of the enterprise.
Legislative side of the issue
What you should know about a business like tobacco growing? Of course, is it necessary to obtain permission to sell tobacco products of own production or not. Just as you need! The legislation of the Russian Federation stipulates that for the sale of tobacco products it is necessary to register your excise stamp and pay a special tax on the sale in favor of the state. Obtaining an excise stamp may not be as simple as it seems at first glance, so a novice entrepreneur is strongly advised to seek help from a professional lawyer in this matter. His services will more than pay off after you set up production - you can not even doubt it.
List of smoking varieties
Before you buy tobacco seeds and start growing seedlings from them, you need to thoroughly study the question of which varieties are used for smoking. It can also play a huge role in whether you will be approved for an excise duty or not. There is a whole list of tested and approved varieties, the best of which are:
- "Ternopol-14."
- Kentucky Burley.
- "Holly-215".
- "Anniversary".
- Virginia
Also, when choosing a tobacco variety, special attention should be paid to what climatic conditions are suitable for its cultivation. For example, the Ternopol-14 variety was developed specifically for cultivation in Ukraine, but it also feels great in the climatic conditions of the Krasnodar Territory. The choice of variety should be given special attention if you do not want to lose crops.
Growing seedlings from seeds
Have you decided to start a seed tobacco business at home? When to plant? This is the most frequently asked question from beginning entrepreneurs, although you can answer it quite simply by looking at the instructions that come with the package. Most seeds are recommended to be sown in early spring or late winter. For the most part, much depends on the variety that you decide to purchase in the store or on the Internet.
After purchasing the seeds, the entrepreneur will have to grow high-quality seedlings from them, and for this it will be necessary to create optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants. For example, the required temperature, which is usually indicated on the bundle with seeds, should be constantly maintained in the room. And as an additional source of lighting, you can use ordinary fluorescent lamps, hanging them over flowerpots with seedlings.
Also, for the cultivation of healthy tobacco seedlings, due attention should be paid to quality watering. It should be plentiful in the initial stages of the formation of petals, however, too wet soil can lead to the development of various fungal diseases, for example, root rot.
Choosing a site for landing
Care and cultivation of tobacco also involves the selection of the optimal site of open ground. It is best to plant seedlings on a small slope so that excess moisture does not linger in the soil, but flows down. This is especially true if you live in a region that is characterized by an abundance of rainfall.
You will also have to take care in advance to protect plants from cold winds, since tobacco is extremely negative for drafts. In this regard, it is strongly recommended not to plant culture near buildings. It is best to build a special shelter that would protect the plant from the winds.
Seedling Planting Procedure
Have you decided to start growing Virginia tobacco? Seedlings of this variety are best planted no earlier than the end of May, when the probability of night frost will be reduced to zero. The minimum soil temperature should be at least ten degrees Celsius. It is also best to treat the soil from pests before planting, especially try to get rid of the bear with the help of folk remedies or insecticides.
Planting of young plants is carried out in the treated soil to a depth of not more than ten centimeters. You can also put a little humus from cow manure in each hole, but in no case do not use fresh fertilizer, since it will be detrimental to the root system. After planting, about 0.5 liters of water should be added under each bush of seedlings.
Care during the summer
Any tobacco grower will say that this crop grows best in the summer, when the weather is hot outside. Plants do not require additional shading, and moisture is usually enough for the one that comes with rain. However, if you live in a rather arid region, where it rarely rains, then you can protect the plants from drying out in advance by stretching the tape for drip irrigation along the rows. But remember that excess moisture is much more detrimental to this plant than its lack.
While the tobacco grows, it will have to be constantly weeded in order not only to destroy the weeds, but also to loosen the soil properly. Also, green culture can be fed with complex fertilizers, but not more than three times a year. It’s best to use a drug called “Health” for this. Moreover, top dressing is carried out not only at the root, but also "on the sheet" - using a spray gun. As soon as the first flowers appear , tobacco must be stepsoned.
Diseases and Pests
Tobacco, like any other plant, can undergo various diseases that are associated with improper care. The worst scourge for him is powdery mildew, characterized by gray spots on the leaves. Most often, it occurs due to the contact of hot leaves with cold dew. You can deal with this with various folk remedies or with the help of the Topaz preparation by treating them with spray leaves.
In addition to diseases, plants can be affected by pests, the most deadly of which are aphids and spider mites. Since tobacco is not a culture that can be eaten, various insecticides, such as Alatar, can be safely used against parasites. You can try to remove insects with folk remedies, but the method should be well tested so that in the end it is not too late.
Harvesting and Drying
If you manage to create optimal conditions for growing tobacco, then sooner or later the plant will give its crop, which must be collected in time. This is best done in mid-autumn, when the leaves begin to turn yellow one after another. If the weather does not let you down and the rains do not spoil the "harvest", then in just a couple of weeks you can harvest from the entire plantation.
As for the drying of tobacco, it is best to do this in a dry and warm place, for example, in the attic or in a specially equipped container. Leaves must be hung on a special hook. Only in a few months it will be possible to proceed to the next stage - fermentation.
Fermentation of tobacco
In addition to the rules for growing tobacco in Russia, it is also recommended for a novice farmer to know everything about the fermentation process so that the original product has a characteristic aftertaste and aroma. As a rule, fermentation is carried out in a special container in which a temperature of about fifty degrees Celsius is maintained, as well as an air humidity of 65%. After a week, the last indicator increases to 75 percent, and the temperature remains at the same level. After a couple of days, the temperature is reduced to twenty degrees Celsius, and air humidity drops to 15 percent. Such manipulations can give the tobacco a rich taste and aroma. Of course, each entrepreneur has his own fermentation technology, but it is recommended that a novice farmer adhere to these rules.
Tobacco cutting
The rules for cutting leaves do not depend on the type of tobacco. After fermentation, we take dry material and cut it into even strips, each of which is about five millimeters wide. After that, dry tobacco is rubbed well and placed in glass containers for storage. A sealed lid ensures that the final product does not lose its taste during several years of storage, however, it is best to sell all tobacco before harvesting. You can do this yourself or by entering into a partnership with your nearest tobacco factory.
A few words in conclusion
Now it’s clear what tobacco growing is like a business. Before starting a business, you should draw up a business plan to calculate costs. It is equally important to comply with the simple rules of registering a business from a legislative point of view, as well as comply with recommendations regarding the cultivation, collection and storage of crops. As you can see, with the right approach, this business can be quite profitable, especially if no one else deals with it in your city or town.