Sustainable, yet hugely profitable Ag investments may be the answer to Global Warming, Illegal Immigration, Drug Cartels and even Al Qaeda.

Being a veteran of the IT industry gives one unique insights into global business as IT is the quintessential melting pot of resources from all over the world, unlike any other. 

So after being a full-time permaculture farmer for over a year now, I have embarked on a journey to India.  Soon Danny (20), Cole (27) and Cody (28), all of Bel Air will be joining me.  

While I am a student of Joel Salatin and Polyface Farm, I am only an amateur farmer.  However, I grew up on a Plantation in India being exposed to various operational responsibilities while still in grade school acquiring proficiency in many areas before migrating to the US while in High School. 

I am writing this with the hope that someone in the US who has knowledge about sustainable agriculture operations can educate me, how we may replicate locally what we are doing in India. 

I know off tremendous international financial incentives to Countries like Costa Rica, in planting trees to combat Global Warming.  Since the scope of work in India is similar in nature, if any one knows the intricacies of working with organizations to duplicate such incentives for India, please let me know. 

All the numbers that I discuss herewith are averages.  There are variations on both extremes when running a Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Plantation, a member of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.   I am very fascinated by Rubber, not only because of the nostalgia, but it is extremely profitable, while sustainable and massively green.  Plus you are helping fight Al Qaeda, as natural rubber is a formidable alternative to petroleum based synthetic rubber.  Any time, I can get rid of Petroleum, I am all over it. 

I am sure, most of my readers will want to know, how much money there is in the business of starting a Rubber Plantation and since many of us do not have millions of dollars to start a new initiative, I am going to be talking about small acreage farming. 

With the USD near all time high, ten acres of land in certain parts of India can still be purchased for under $50K.  However, land of this nature is fast disappearing and I myself would gobble up all I can, if I could. 

Fencing, land prep, planting, drip irrigation, maintenance and the likes will double that amount by the time the Rubber trees reach maturity in 7 years.  Now begins the fun part.  You can reasonably expect to make an average net profit of $50,000 dollars annually for the next 25 to 30 years, while being an outstanding steward of the environment.  I cannot think of a better use of money.  Period. 

The fun just doesn't end there.  In 25 to 30 years, while the Rubber trees are no longer viable for harvest, the wood (timber) alone will be worth your initial investment plus the cost of starting all over again.

OK, so you are wondering, what happens if you don’t want to be farmer for the next 30 years?  No problem there either.  Locals will gladly pay 3 to 4 times your original investment for an operating plantation.  There are many socio economic reasons for this, but that needs to be saved for another blog. 

While the land is becoming scarce by the day, value nearly doubles every two to three years with no end in sight.  We are not talking about a real estate bubble either.  That’s because, with nearly a billion and a quarter people and a growing percentage of them all over the world, like me, the consumer economy of India is diversified like no other.   The social support system and an increasingly spreading out nucleus families, ensures that the trend will continue for perhaps another 100 years or more. 

Brings me back to my original thought…  Are there areas of the United States that’s suitable for Rubber?  I am nearly certain countries like Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil is well suited for Rubber.  So how come wealthy investors don’t consider sustainable investments of this nature in those countries?  Perhaps, massive US investments in Sustainable Agriculture is the way to fight the Illegal Immigration and Drug Cartels, not guns and artificial walls. 

A growing local economy in countries like Mexico will prevent illegal immigration to the US.   I spend quite a bit of my time with a large number of 20 somethings here at StartupVillage.in and not a single one looks forward to leaving India or has the time for listening to religious fanatics.  Thats proof enough people don't look forward to being an illegal immigrant, when they have opportunities at home.   Perhaps all the money we waste on the "Speak English" signs that litter the area can make a significant difference to Global Warming, Illegal Immigration, Drug Trade and even Terrorism.