The decision that sets everything.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
What your land and climate support What you can sell, and to whom What you can afford to establish What you know how to produce How long before it returns money
WHY THE LAST ONE MATTERS ENORMOUSLY
Some enterprises return in weeks and some in years.
WHAT SHORT-CYCLE ENTERPRISES PROVIDE
Faster cash return Faster learning Lower risk per cycle
WHAT LONG-CYCLE ENTERPRISES PROVIDE
Potentially higher returns Assets that appreciate
WHAT THEY REQUIRE
Capital to survive until they produce.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE COMMITTING
The market, before the production.
WHY THAT ORDER
Producing something with no buyer is the commonest agricultural failure.
WHAT TO RESEARCH
Who buys this At what price In what quantity When What quality they require
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Enterprises promoted as highly profitable Advice from those selling inputs or stock Assumptions based on one good season
WHY THAT SECOND POINT
Their interest is in selling to you.
WHAT TO DO
Speak to people currently producing it, and ask about their worst year.
WHAT TO START WITH
A scale you can afford to lose.
WHY
The first cycle teaches what no advice conveys.
WHAT TO EXPAND ON
Evidence, not optimism.
