step-by-step guide to start an Agriculture Machinery business, written in simple language and practical steps, especially suitable for Pakistan 🇵🇰.
1. Understand What “Agriculture Machinery Work” Means
First decide which type of work you want to do:
Common Agriculture Machinery Businesses
- 🚜 Machinery Rental Service (tractor, rotavator, thresher)
- 🛠 Repair & Maintenance Workshop
- 🏪 Sales of New or Used Machinery
- 🔩 Spare Parts Shop
- 🌾 Custom Farming Services (ploughing, harvesting, sowing)
👉 Best for beginners: Machinery rental + repair (low risk, regular demand)
2. Learn Basic Technical Knowledge
You don’t need a degree, but basic skills are very important.
What to Learn
- Tractor engine basics
- Diesel engine repair
- Hydraulic system
- PTO (Power Take Off) system
- Electrical wiring
How to Learn
- Work 3–6 months in a mechanic shop
- Short courses from:
- TEVTA
- NAVTTC
- Local agriculture training centers
- Learn from YouTube channels (Urdu/Hindi)
3. Market Research (Very Important Step)
Before investing money, research your local area.
Check These Things
- Number of farmers nearby
- Types of crops grown (wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton)
- Existing machinery services
- Rental prices in your area
- Peak seasons (Rabi & Kharif)
📌 Talk directly to farmers to understand their needs.
4. Choose Location
Best locations:
- Village center
- Near farmland
- Near mandi (grain market)
- Roadside for easy tractor movement
Space Requirement
- 5–10 marla open land (minimum)
- Covered shed for machines
- Small office/store room
5. Decide Your Machinery (Start Small)
Don’t buy everything at once.
Starter Machinery (Recommended)
| Machine | Approx Price (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Used Tractor (50–60 HP) | 12–20 lakh |
| Rotavator | 2–3 lakh |
| Cultivator | 50,000–80,000 |
| Thresher | 3–5 lakh |
| Seed Drill | 1–2 lakh |
👉 You can also start with only one tractor + one implement.
6. Business Registration & Legal Work
To work professionally:
- Register business (Sole Proprietor)
- Get NTN from FBR
- Open a bank account
- If hiring drivers → basic labor registration
💡 Many small farmers start informally, but registration helps you grow.
7. Hire Skilled Staff (Optional)
At start, you can manage yourself.
Later You May Need:
- Tractor driver/operator
- Mechanic
- Helper
Pay can be:
- Monthly salary
- Daily wages
- Percentage of job income
8. Set Rental Prices
Prices depend on area and season.
Example Rental Rates
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Tractor ploughing | 2,000–3,000 per acre |
| Rotavator | 3,000–4,500 per acre |
| Thresher | 1,200–2,000 per hour |
| Harvesting | Crop dependent |
9. Marketing & Promotion (Low Cost)
You don’t need expensive advertising.
Best Marketing Methods
- Word of mouth
- Contact local farmers directly
- Posters in villages
- WhatsApp groups
- Tie-up with commission agents (arthi)
- Offer discounts in first season
📢 Good service = free marketing.
10. Daily Operations & Management
To succeed:
- Maintain machines regularly
- Keep spare parts ready
- Maintain fuel record
- Keep a diary of daily work & income
- Always arrive on time (very important for farmers)
11. Monthly Profit Estimate (Example)
| Item | Amount (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Monthly Income | 180,000 |
| Fuel & Maintenance | 60,000 |
| Driver Salary | 30,000 |
| Net Profit | 90,000 |
💰 Profit increases in peak seasons.
12. Expand Your Business (After 6–12 Months)
- Add more machines
- Start spare parts shop
- Sell used machinery
- Contract farming services
- Partner with agri companies
13. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Buying expensive machines too early
❌ No maintenance plan
❌ Ignoring farmer relations
❌ Poor fuel management
❌ No record keeping