100 Cash Crop Farming Business Ideas

The object of crafting this article is to provide a list of cash crop farming business opportunities for the small farm owners and entrepreneurs who looking for such pieces of information. When agricultural crops are grown for the purpose of sale or to make profits, instead of subsistence or barter it is called commercial cash crop farming or cash cropping.

The particular farming techniques used vary with each farmer as well as from one country to another. Generally, the price of cash crops depends on the supply and demand in more developed countries, the least developed countries being the suppliers.

Suggested Read: Best Agriculture Business Ideas with Low Investment

Cash crop costs are majorly determined by the commodity markets with a global scope. However, there would be some fluctuations depending on the freight prices and local demand and supply. In selecting the crop, you must ensure that the crop has good demand and has a ready market for sale. Read the post to get a list of 100+ cash crop farming business opportunities in India.

100 Cash Crop Farming Business Ideas & Opportunities

Here is the list of best cash crop framing businesses to start with low investment:

#1. Corn – Zea Mays

In India, corns are the third major cash crop after rice and wheat. This product has an export potential also.

#2. Groundnut – Arachis Hypogaea

Among the oilseed crops, groundnut has first place in India. Groundnut oil is primarily used in the manufacture of vegetable oil.

#3. Jute – Corchorus

Jute is an important best fiber. India is one of the principal producers of jute in the world. It is widely grown in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta.

Related: How to Start Jute Bag Making Business 

#4. Masoor – Lens Culinaris

Masoor dal or lentils are relatively tolerant to drought and are grown throughout the world. India produces about a quarter of the worldwide production of lentils, most of which are consumed in the domestic market.

#5. Moong – Vigna Radiata

Moong is a very good return crop in India. Apart from boosting farm income, moong cultivation can give a break from mono-cropping of wheat and soya bean, thus improving soil fertility.

#6. Mustard Seeds – Sinapis

In India, mustard seeds are the major source of cooking oils. Mustard is grown in a subtropical climate. It can be grown in wide variety of soils.

#7. Oats – Avena Sativa

Oats are famous for their health benefits. Oa meal is the most popular product. Primarily oat is cultivated as fodder crops and grain crops.

#8. Paddy – Oryza Sativa

India ranks in the second position in paddy farming after China. Generally, paddy farming is done to get rice and also for seed.

Read: How to Start Rice Mill Plant Business

#9. Potato – Solanum Tuberosum

Potatoes are also an important crop in India. The potatoes are preserved for throughout the year domestic consumption.

#10. Soybean – Glycine Max

Soybeans are popular as ‘golden beans’. Soybean is a highly nutritious and rich protein food. The farming of soybeans is also very simple.

#11. Wheat – Triticum

Wheat is the main cereal crop in India. The total area under the crop is about 29.8 million hectares in the country.

Floriculture – Cash Crop Farming Business

#12. Blood Lily

Growing blood lilies is not a difficult task. The blood lily enjoys full sun, but its blooms tend to last longer and perform better when given partial or light shade. The flower is used as decorative arrangements.

#13. Bonsai

Bonsai is very popular as an indoor and outdoor decorative plant. You can start this business without having any piece of land.

#14. Cactus – Cactaceae

Cactus spines are produced from specialized structures called areoles, a kind of highly reduced branch. Mainly, the species are used as ornamental plants.

#15. Carnation – Dianthus Caryophyllus

Carnation is one of the most popular decorative flowers in India. You can also avail of financial assistance from the NABARD scheme.

#16. Dahlia –  Dahlia Hortensis

Dahlias need a sunny location to thrive. An area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight is best. Less sun equals taller plants and fewer blooms.

#17. Gladiolus

Gladiolus plants are attractive, perennial herbs and semi-hardy in temperate climates. They grow from rounded, symmetrical forms that are enveloped in several layers of brownish, fibrous tunics.

#18. Hibiscus – Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis

There are many improved hybrid varieties of Hibiscus are available in different colors.  The flower is used in herbal medicine and cosmetics. Hibiscus tea is also very famous throughout the world.

#19. Jasmine – Jasminum

Jasmine is popular for its fragrance. Tamilnadu holds the first position in producing Jasmine in India.

#20. Marigold – Tagetes

Marigold’s demand is very high in the market, and availability is less because of the lean season. Anticipating an increase in demand and better remuneration, farmers of the country have increased the cultivation of flowers.

#21. Orchid – Orchidaceae

This is one of the most high-value flowers. The beauty, complexity, and incredible diversity of orchid flowers are unrivaled in the plant world

#22. Rose – Rosa

Rose farming is profitable in India. You can sell in the domestic market and as well as export market.

#23. Sunflower – Helianthus

Growing sunflowers for oilseed with maintaining the right process is a viable business opportunity. Sunflower is a highly profitable crop in oilseed production

#24. Tuberose – Polianthes Tuberosa

Tuberose is popular as Rajani Gandha. It produces waxy, white, and fragrant flowers on long spikes, which are mostly used as cut flowers; for making garlands and extracting essential oil.

#25. Tulip – Tulipa

Tulips are very famous ornamental flowers. Tulip cultivation is limited in India. Himachal Pradesh and hilly areas are suitable for tulip cultivation.

#26. Zinnias – Zinnia Elegans

Zinnias are undemanding annuals that simply need full sun, warmth, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. If the soil is poor, incorporate lots of compost or leaf mold.

Horticulture Fruits – Cash Crop Farming Business

#27. Apple – Malus Domestica

In India, apples are grown in hilly areas including Kashmir. Apple ranks fourth among the most widely produced fruits in the world.

#28. Aonla – Emblica Officinalis

Aonla is an ancient fruit of Indian origin, which is associated with our tradition, culture, and heritage. The fruit is also closely linked with the Indian system of medicine, as it is used as an ingredient in more than 175 formulations of Ayurveda.

#29. Banana – Musa

Banana is one of the major and economically important fruit crops in India. Basically, banana occupies a 20% area among the total area under crop in India.

#30. Cashewnut – Anacardium Occidentale

The cashew is a strong plant that is renowned for growing in soils, especially sandy soils, that are generally unsuitable for other fruit trees. For the best production deep, well-drained sandy or sandy-loam soil is recommended.

#31. Citrus

Citrus fruits are the highest value fruit crop in terms of international trade. About a third of citrus fruit production goes for processing: more than 80% of this is for orange juice production. Demand for fresh and processed oranges continues to rise in excess of production, especially in developed countries

#32. Coconut – Cocos Nucifera

The coconut palm is found to grow under varying climatic and soil conditions. Rainfall of about 2000 mm per year, well distributed throughout, is ideal for proper growth and maximum production. 

Related: Coconut Oil Manufacturing Business 

#33. Grapes – Vitis Vinifera

The grape is the most important crop grown in the world. Mostly it is grown for making wines and preparation of raisins and then as a table fresh fruit.

Related: How To Start A Profitable Grape Wine Production Business

#34. Guava – Psidium Guajava

Guava is one of the important commercial fruits in India. It is the fourth most important fruit after mango, banana, and citrus. It is widely cultivated in India.

#35. Jackfruit – Artocarpus Heterophyllus

Originally, jackfruit is a native of India and is presently cultivated throughout the tropical lowland in both the hemispheres. It is commonly grown in Burma and Malaysia and to a certain extent in Brazil.

#36. Litchi – Litchi Chinensis

Litchi cultivation spreads across various acres in North India and a few in South India. Basically, litchi is commercially grown in North India mainly in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Assam where it matures during May and June.

#37. Mango – Mangifera Indica

Mango fruit is utilized at all stages of its development both in its immature and mature state. Raw fruits are used for making chutney, pickles, and juices. The ripe fruits besides being used for dessert are also utilized for preparing several products like squashes, syrups, nectars, jams, and jellies.

#38. Papaya – Carica Papaya

Papaya is a popular fruit famous for its high nutritive and medicinal values. It comes early in bearing than any other fruit crop, produces fruits in less than a year and the production of fruits is quite high per unit area.

#39. Pineapple – Ananas Comosus

Growing pineapple plant is possible just about anywhere in the world. Pineapples don’t need much water. They have very tough leaves so they don’t lose much water through evaporation.

Related: Profitable Niche Pineapple Processing Business Ideas

#40. Pomegranate – Punica Granatum

Pomegranate grows well under semi-arid conditions. The tree requires a hot and dry climate during fruit development and ripening. The pomegranate tree is deciduous in areas of low winter temperature and evergreen or partially deciduous in tropical and sub-tropical conditions.

#41. Strawberry – Fragaria Ananassa

Strawberries are so versatile – they just need the sun, shelter, and fertile, well-drained soil. This is one of the most high-value fruits in India.

#42. Watermelon – Citrullus Lanatus

Growing watermelons require lots of space, lots of sun, lots of water, and lots of nutrients. Watermelons are grown from seed.

Medicinal Herbs – Cash Crop Farming Business

#43. Aloe vera – Aloe Barbadensis miller

Aloe vera is a high-value medicinal herb. It has several usages in the industry. Such as in cosmetics, medicine, and beverages. You can start aloe vera farming by investing a small capital.

#44. Amla – Phyllanthus Emblica

Amla is an important crop in India. It has high medicinal value. Amla is used in the medicine and cosmetics industry. This is a tropical plant.

#45. Ashwagandha – Withania Somnifera

Ashwagandha grows well in the dry and sub-tropical region. Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan are the major grower states in India.

#46. Basil – Ocimum basilicum

In India, basil is known as tulsi. The plant is considered as “Queen of Herbs”. The plant has many medicinal properties.

#47. Brahmi – Bacopa Monnieri

Brahmi has high medicinal value. It is one of the traditional and early age herbs in India. The plant has fleshy, oval-shaped leaves 1-2cm long, from opposite along the stems.

#48. Calendula – Calendula Officinalis

Calendula is easy to grow a plant. It has huge medicinal values. Generally, it can be grown on poor land with partial or full sun. It does require regular watering.

#49. Daruharidra – Berberis Aristata

Daru Haridra is an important ayurvedic medicine. It is also used in juice production and in the cosmetics industry. The plant prefers light, medium and heavy soils.

#50. Guggal – Commiphora Wightii

Rajasthan is in the top position in guggul farming in India. It has a rich medicinal value. The plant is a woody shrub.

#51. Jatamansi – Nardostachys Jatamansi

Jatamansi is used in the medicine, perfume, and cosmetics industry. Generally, Jatamansi is harvested for local use and for the trading purpose of its roots and rhizomes.

#52. Jatropha – Jatropha curcas

Jatropha is one of the best oilseed plants. It has medicinal properties as well as industrial purposes. The plant prevents soil erosion.

#53. Kesar – Crocus sativus

Saffron is known as Kesar. It is the most expensive spice in the world. Saffron is majorly used in culinary seasoning and to get color with taste in different food products. It has high medicinal value.

#54. Lavender – Lavandula

Nowadays, lavender farming is profitable in India. Lavender can be grown only in the Himalayan region, wherever it snows, as it requires water only when first planted.

#55. Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon

Lemongrass is a perennial plant. Additionally, lemongrass is one of the commercially cultivated crops in India in a wide range. Apart from medicinal value, the major use in perfumery, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, and beverages.

Related: How To Start Lemongrass Oil Manufacturing Business

#56. Mint – Mentha

For the past four decades, mints are commercially cultivated in India. Of these, the Japanese Mint, yielding menthol is grown extensively in northern India. Other major producing countries are China and Brazil and to a smaller extent Thailand and Vietnam.

#57. Parsley – Petroselinum crispum

Parsley prefers well-drained, moisture-retaining soil. Basically, parsley requires a good amount of light to grow. You must have a frequent watering system in summer.

#58. Patchouli – Pogostemon cablin

Patchouli is one of the important aromatic plants cultivated for its oil. A humid climate with plenty of sunlight is suitable for this crop.

#59. Safed Musli – Chlorophytum Borivilianum

This plant has some excellent ayurvedic properties. You can grow anywhere in the country. Commercial cultivation with good crop management practices will give you wonderful profit.

#60. Sarpagandha – Rauvolfia Serpentina

Sarpagandha has different medicinal values. Therefore, Sarpagandha is a profitable herb. The plant prefers soil with plenty of humus and rich in nitrogenous and organic matter with good drainage.

#61. Stevia – Stevia Rebaudiana

Basically, stevia is largely used as a sugar substitute. Stevia cultivation in India is profitable. It has medicinal values and is also used in the cosmetics industry.

#62. Vanilla – Vanilla Planifolia

Vanilla is one of the costliest spices in the market after saffron. Additionally, vanilla is used in Ayurveda, medicines, and in food. Karnataka is in the top position in India in vanilla cultivation.

#63. Yashtimadhu – Glycyrrhiza glabra

The English name is Liquorice. Yastimadhuis one of the most popular medicinal herbs in India and also abroad. The root of the plant (liquorice) contains a substance called glycyrrhizin which is 50 times sweeter than sugar.

Spices – Cash Crop Farming Business

#64. Arecanut – Areca Catechu

The areca nut is the seed of the areca palm, which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, as it is often chewed and wrapped in betel leaves

#65. Bay Leaf – Laurus Nobilis

Bay leaves are used as the flavoring in soups, stews, meat, fish, sauces, and confectionaries. Both leaves and fruits possess aromatic, stimulant, and narcotic properties.

#66. Cardamom – Elettaria Cardamomum

Indian cardamom is offered to the international markets in different grades: ‘Alleppey Green Extra Bold’ (AGEB), ‘Alleppey Green Bold’ (AGB), and ‘Alleppey Green Superior’ (AGS) are names that register instant appeal worldwide.

#67. Celery – Apium Graveolens

The dried ripped fruits (celery fruit) are used as a spice. Leaves and stalks are used in salads and in soups. It is also widely used in meat seasonings, flavoring beverages, confectioneries, ice creams, and baked goods.

#68. Chilies

Chilli is the dried ripe fruit of the genus Capsicum. Capsicum Annuum is an annual subshrub, the flowers of which are borne singly and fruits usually pendent, which provide red peppers, cayenne, paprika, and chilies, and sweet pepper (bell pepper) a mild form of large inflated fruits.

#69. Cinnamon – Cinnamomum Verum

The commercial products of cinnamon are quills, quillings, featherings, chips, cinnamon bark oil, and cinnamon leaf oil. Cinnamon cultivation is considered commercial cash crop farming in India.

#70. Clove – Syzygium Aromaticum

The use of clove in whole or ground form is mainly for culinary purposes and as a flavoring agent in the food industry. Its flavor blends well with both sweet and savory dishes.

#71. Coriander – Coriandrum Sativum

Coriander is an important spice crop having a prime position in flavoring food. The young plant is used for flavoring and garnishing curries and soups. The fruits (seeds) are widely used as condiments with or without roasting in the preparation of curry powders, sausages, and seasonings

#72. Cumin – Cuminum Cyminum

Cumin is the dried, white fruit with a grayish-brown color of a small slender annual herb. Generally, cumin seed has an aromatic odor and bitter taste. It is used as a condiment and is an ingredient in curry powders, seasonings of bread, cakes, and cheese.

#73. Curry Leaves – Murraya Koenigii

The leaves of the curry leaf tree are popular types of spices. The leaf is used in South India as a natural flavoring agent in various curries. The volatile oil is used as a fixative for soap perfume.

#74. Garlic – Allium Sativum

Garlic is a hardy, bulbous, rooted, perennial plant with narrow flat leaves and bears small white flowers and bulbils. This is used for flavoring various dishes practically all over the world. In the United States, almost half of the produce is dehydrated for use in mayonnaise products, salad dressings, and several meat preparations.

#75. Ginger – Zingiber Officinale

Ginger is a tropical plant with its center of origin in India and Malaysia. Now it is widely cultivated in India, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malaysia, Southern China, and Japan.

#76. Pepper – Piper Nigrum

Black Pepper is the dried mature berry of Piper nigrum, a climbing, perennial shrub mostly found in the hot, moist regions of Southern India. It is largely used by meat packers and in canning, pickling, and baking, considering its preservative value.

#77. Rosemary – Rosmarinus Officinalis

Rosemary has a wide range of uses in food processing. Fresh tender tops are used for garnishing and flavoring cold drinks, pickles, soups, etc. Dried and powdered leaves are used as a condiment.

#78. Turmeric – Curcuma Longa

Turmeric is the boiled, dried, cleaned, and polished rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Basically, turmeric is used to flavor and to color foodstuffs. It is a principal ingredient in curry powder.

Vegetables – Cash Crop Farming Business

#79. Asparagus – Asparagus Officinalis

Asparagus is considered a rejuvenating female tonic for overall health and vitality. It has numerous fusiform succulent tuberous roots. The plant contains odd little pine-needle-like leaves that are uniform, small and shiny green.

#80. Beetroot – Beta vulgaris

Beetroot is of exceptional nutritional value; especially the greens, which are rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. Beetroots are an excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of fiber, manganese, and potassium.

#81. Bitter Gourd – Momordica charantia

Bitter gourd is also known as the bitter lemon. It is the edible part of the plant Momordica Charantia, which is a vine of the Cucurbitaceae family and is considered the most bitter among all fruits and vegetables.

#82. Brinjal – Solanum melongena

Another name for brinjal is Eggplant. Vegetables are widely used in cooking. Commercial brinjal farming is very profitable even with a small piece of land.

#83. Cabbage – Brassica Oleracea var. Capita

It is commonly cultivated in a cool moist climate. Generally, it is grown as a winter crop on plains. It is grown in varied types of soils ranging from sandy loam to clay. However, it requires a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 for higher production.

#84. Capsicum – Capsicum Annuum

Colour capsicum farming is a very lucrative business. Some varieties are very vigorous & plants can become as tall as 3.5 m and they produce about 4 – 5 kg of fruits on one plant in their life cycle.

#85. Carrot – Daucus carota subsp. Sativus

Carrot is a very popular root vegetable. They are easy to grow in sandy soil. They are resistant to most pests and diseases and are a good late-season crop that can tolerate frost.

#86. Cauliflower – Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Cauliflower is one of the most important winter vegetables in India. India produces 4.694 M mt of Cauliflower per year from 0.256 M ha area with an average productivity of about 18.3 mt/ha.

#87. Cucumber – Cucumis sativus

The cucumber is one of the famous and widely cultivated vegetable plants in India. Commercial cultivation of cucumber is considered a profitable cash crop farming in India.

#88. Gourd – Lagenaria siceraria

The gourd is a very important crop in India. The fruit in the green stage and leaves with a stem are used as vegetables. The hard shell of the fruit is used for different purposes.

#89. Green Beans – Phaseolus

Green beans are considered nutritious vegetables as they contain a high amount of vegetable proteins. Besides carbohydrates and vitamins. The green tender pods are used as vegetables and also dry seeds.

Vegetables – Cash Crop Farming Business

#90. Green Peas – Pisum Sativum

Pea is an important vegetable in India; the crop is generally cultivated for its green pods. In addition, it is highly nutritive and is rich in protein. It is used as a vegetable or in soup, canned frozen, or dehydrated. It is cooked as a vegetable along or with potatoes.

#91. Ladies Finger Or Okra

Bhendi or ladies’ fingers is one of the popular vegetables in India. It is cultivated extensively all the year-round for its immature fruits. Bhendi fruits are used as a vegetable. The stem of the plant is used for the extraction of fiber.

#92. Lettuce – Lactuca Sativa

Lettuce is one of the most popular salad crops. It is mostly used in the USA. However, it is gaining tremendous popularity in India also. We can consider Lettuce as a commercial cash crop farming business.

#93. Onion – Allium Cepa

The onion is one of the most important commercial vegetable crops grown in India: The demand for onion is worldwide. It is used both in the raw and mature bulb stages as vegetables and spices.

#94. Pumpkins – Cucurbita

Pumpkins are a nutritious vegetable vine plant that dates back many centuries. However, the plants need to be watered regularly throughout the growing season. Pumpkins need lots of indirect water, and the soil of the mound should be kept well moist but not wet, at all times

#95. Radish – Raphanus Sativus

Long and red/spring radishes that are mainly used for salad and decorative purposes have a high demand in the hotel industry. In addition, radish is used for pickling and other processing industries.

#96. Tomato – Solanum Lycopersicum

Generally, you can produce the tomato crop during the winter and summer seasons. The crop cannot withstand severe frost. This is one of the most important protective food crops in India.

Related: Tomato Processing Business Opportunities

#97. Button Mushroom – Agaricus Bisporus

According to the global consumption rate, the Button Mushroom is the most popular mushroom variety. In India, its production earlier was limited to the winter season, but with technology development, these are produced almost throughout the year in small, medium, and large farms, adopting different levels of technology.

#98. Oyster Mushroom – Pleurotus ostreatus

It is one of the most suitable fungal organisms for producing protein-rich food from various agro-wastes or forest wastes without composting. The fruit bodies of this mushroom are distinctly shell or spatula-shaped with different shades of white, cream, gray, yellow, pink, or light brown depending upon the species.

#99. Tea & Coffee

India is the second-largest producer of tea in the world. Basically, tea is a crop for hillside areas. It requires deep, fertile, well-drained soil and a high temperature. On the other hand, Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka are the major tea-growing areas in India.

#100. Bamboo – Bambusoideae

Bamboo is an essential item in manufacturing a number of products. These are building materials, carpentry, farming, forestry, hunting and fishing apparatus, fuel and lighting, household, domestic and personal items, pulp, and paper.

The above-mentioned items come under the commercial cash crop farming according to the market demand and profitability. However, a cash crop farming business needs a solid financial plan and marketing plan for maximum profit optimization. Here, the list of 100+ cash crop farming business ideas definitely helps entrepreneurs to take an overview of different types of cash crop farming practices across the globe.