Tpilk's Quest

[GaryD]

Hi,

I cut this from another thread on behalf of Chip (Tpilk).....because it wasn't going to get the treatment that it deserved where it was...

Chip says.....

I have a vested interest in my "quest" to explore issues such as commercial AP. Over 10 years ago I came up with a rough plan as to my future. I had the experience and ability to come to Asia as an expat. My plan involved working hard, saving and investing so that I could one day develop a business over here. At the time, I thought it would be Aquaculture. I have land and my Thai inlaws currently farm and raise fish. I just needed to complete the due diligence process. During that discovery period, I stumbled into AP. I've spent endless hours researching and touring fish farms and hydro operations, while trying to understand the feasibility of somehow merging the two. The outlook is bleak at best. Thailand should be an ideal location as we have year round farming and a popular fish species which require neither heat or cooling. The reality is that the "middleman" situation in Thailand (read that as organised crime) has created an environment where their "distributor cut" amounts to the bulk of your profits and depending on your location and customer base, you cannot get around them. There are some "niche" markets for organic products and clean fish but they are few and far between. It's a reality all of the countries in SE Asia that I support (7).

Now my challenge is to find either a new location to explore farming produce and fish, or find a new business field all together. When I engage you on issues like educating potential commercial clients, I'm not being facetious. I'm the guy who has a long-term goal and has worked to build up the capital and invest in an industry with a good chance of success. I have the background and experience to understand the importance of proper training, as well as aligning with a proper consultant and even hiring some of the specialized experience that I lack (for now). I have another challenge in that the current experts both reside and understand the markets pertaining to their countries/continents. I live and plan to invest in Asia (that could change). I have additional opportunity, along with unique challenges that the current experts may or may not fully comprehend. Understanding your market is every bit as important as understanding your water chemistry. Very soon I will hit 50. These next 10-15 years will be the building and developing period for me and I need to be smart and productive.

Go for it!

Gary

[Damon]

when looking for commercially viable areas look for second world countries with a few industrialized cities. the demand for "western produce" is on the rise in many middle eastern countries as well as india and north african countries as well... this increasing demand coupled with a low minimum wage base is the best chances for now at commercial viability as the current levels of AP science and production stands. now if automation of the harvesting and planting should ever happen, you could look back into the first world countries since you'd have a decrease in labor costs, which in first world countries is you're highest running cost. actually, labor is many times more costly in the fist world countries than the next highest cost on your input charts. heck, electric, water, and seeds on a monthly basis is still less than labor in the first world.

now going into the second worlds some cots will rise while labor falls, but that is all part of weighing your options.

also different places have different material import taxes. so you have to weigh the extra cost of building a system vs. the companies long term savings on labor. (note: not all countries have easy access to materials so, the deeper into the back woods you go, the more expensive it is to have you materials shipped to you, unless you can find local alternatives.)