Creating a viable value-added agriculture business involves finding an idea or opportunity in the marketplace and then building a viable business to take advantage of the opportunity.  This requires going through a process or series of steps.  Although this is not a hard and fast process, there are steps that you need to take – and you need to take them in order.

Idea Assessment / Business Development Process provides a series of five steps and a process for assessing a business idea, deciding if a viable business can be developed from the idea, and creating a business if it is deemed viable.  After you have a general understanding of the process and the steps you need to go through, Getting from Idea to Implementation provides a more detailed listing of points to consider in the development process.  Another article that provides a deeper understanding of the factors involved in the process is Developing a Business that Makes a Difference.

Preparing for Agricultural Value-added Business Initiatives: First Things First provides a framework from a different perspective for undertaking the value-added business process.  Steps to Commercializing a Value-added Food Business identifies some aspects of business development for food businesses that you need to consider.

Understanding the difference between Business Development and Economic Development helps define your role as a business developer.

For more information on the development process, see the information in the box at the right.