Agriculture Industry Opportunities

November 7, 2011
Industry Intelligence from First Research, a division of Hoover's (a D&B company)

• Soil Decontamination - Pre-harvest specialists that plow and fertilize farmland may be able to extend services to include soil decontamination. Overuse of fertilizers in corn fields and increased regulation to reduce levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may lead to opportunities in site and field remediation. New vapor extraction technologies can remove 85 to 100 percent of VOCs.
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  Value-Added Products - Post-harvest crop specialists can consider extending their product reach to add fresh-fromthe- farm products. Companies that dry, sort, grade, and pack are in excellent position to convert prepared produce into finished, value-added products. Post-harvest specialists may be able to work in conjunction with processors and wholesalers to establish new products and brands.

• International Consulting - Companies can provide consulting to lower crop loss rates for developing countries and international relief agencies. Crop losses are as high as 50 percent in developing nations, depending on the crop, according to Food Security in a Climate of Change. Such losses can worsen famine and starvation. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often hire support service experts to help indigenous populations better manage the post-harvest process.