Advice : 500 donums arable land , what would you do with it ?

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 16:27

We have 500 donums of arable flat land , trying to identify the most profitable business to do with it

Anyone with any advice or experience or good ideas pls , We have thought about a chicken farm and/or other animals , plants/flowers & trees for landscaping market , crops ( garlic , corn , potatoes etc ) , herbs ,

would love to hear any viable ideas on what would be the best and most lucrative venture .

Also have access to unlimited water ( through severel wells )



thnx in advance

Stonehousepub


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 755

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 16:34

Where is the land ??

Kantara


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 661

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 16:49

A Horse Ranch.....

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 16:50

dortyol / korkuteli vicinity

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 16:52

Horse ranch ? how would you profit from that ? charging for horse riding ?

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 16:56

or a racetrack !!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 17:08

Is all the land flat, or undulating - sheltered, or exposed to the prevailing winds from the North North West?



What is the soil type?



Is the land workable, or has it ever been worked [tilled]?



May I suggest Pecan nuts? - The Cyprus climate is ideal for these if you have enough water, because they do need plenty of water. Providing you install a reliable irrigation system on timer(s), they need very little attention.



Due to the dessicating nature of the Cyprus climate, it would pay to plant shelter belt trees and divide the land into small blocks.



I am a retired orchardist from New Zealand - my orchard produced fruit for export to Europe and Japan.



There is another pip-fruit that you should consider - this is the 'Nashi Pear' - this is the 'trendy' new fruit that is making recent 'market emergence' in Europe.



Here is a 'starter' link for your research on this superb fruit - far more delicious than any normal apple, or pear:



http://www.nashiaustralia.com.au/

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 17:16

thnx alot , very interesting , its flat no shade , as far as i know never been tilled , but i think used for animal grazing in past , i have no idea about soil , i guess it would be a good idea to take some to a lab !

its exposed to winds i guess ...

the nuts are an interesting idea , have also considered pine nuts ,, thnx for the link ill check out the fruit

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 17:32

Would it also be an idea also to test the well water, in case it is high salt?



Also all your ideas are pretty labour intensive - do you have access to adequate labour.



Cereal crops need expensive agricultural machinery - is the plot large enough to justify, or could you share with a neighbour?



Sorry not very constructive but you need to know what you are taking on. I will probably lie awake all night now trying to think of something.

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 17:47

I havnt tested the well water either , i guess water and soil tests are imperative in identifying the best thing to do , I have access to labour , thats not a problem and can fund machinery etc , just want to identify the best thing to do and use the land to its full potential

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 18:23

mezzo: You could, if the soil is suitable and water quality/quantity OK, consider rotationally cropping potatoes and peanuts.



Lavendar is a possibility!



Sweet potatoes?



I doubt it's any good trying to compete against Romania, etc., by growing maize/sweet corn - or barley, or wheat, for that matter.

Soon2beThere


Joined: 31/08/2011
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 18:58

Build some stables, an arena, and corner off some paddocks and u have a horse yard, and charge a couple of hundred a month for diy livery! job done, low maintenance too!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 20:09

Horses are horrendously difficult and expensive to keep healthy in Cyprus - believe me, I know from experience!

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 20:19

yes i agree

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 20:29

Again stating the obvious, but have you consulted the Min of Agriculture (or whoever fills that cajpacity here) and forestry commision. You will need to check their rules anyway, and they might be able to suggest what does well in the area or what is in short supply and the latter might help with shade/wind break trees.



Have you considered organic - might be worth asking how many people here would be prepared to pay a few extra TL for "safe" food.



Have you read the thread about donkey trekking. ? Could that be an option, perhaps also importing some of the tougher breed of ponies (rather than horses which as suggested above are delicate animals) and combining with a riding school.

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 20:46

Good idea , i do plan to visit the dept of agriculture and seek advice / ideas

Spike


Joined: 05/07/2011
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 20:59

The Turkish settlers who live there and in Dortyol could tell you best uses for that part of Mesaoria plain. Very friendly ppl in that area.

madturk


Joined: 25/03/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 21:43

If the land is arable , why not prepare it to grow exotic fruits

Ready for when the embargos are lifted to export around the world

I'm sure asdil nadir will use the old airport to export fruit and veg soon

horselover


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 22:20

golf course

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 22:33

Housing estate

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 22:48

thnx people , dont think it lends itself to a golf course , housing estate / new township , is feasible , but too much of a big investment for me alone

madturk


Joined: 25/03/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 23:12

So are you looking for an investor then.

Might be interested

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
01/09/2011 23:13

you got the right handle then...

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
02/09/2011 00:06

Please, please, please, not another housing estate. Too much of Northern Cyprus has been spoilt by inappropriate development already.



I wish you all the luck in the world in finding an environmentally suitable way of developing your land.

russianbabe


Joined: 19/08/2011
Posts: 130

Message Posted:
02/09/2011 13:10

solar panels ,sell the electricity

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
02/09/2011 13:34

hi russianbabe , thought alot about renewable energy , and the land is perfect for that , but its such a huge initial investment ! i dont have that level of finance !

but good idea !

slatnumber7


Joined: 25/08/2010
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
02/09/2011 18:15

Hello Mezzo,



Paintballing seems to be doing very well in the RoC, could be worth a thought?





http://www.paintballcyprus.com/

Danboy


Joined: 28/05/2011
Posts: 114

Message Posted:
02/09/2011 21:59

is it turkish title property ?if is not dont spend any money

russianbabe


Joined: 19/08/2011
Posts: 130

Message Posted:
02/09/2011 22:30

look for investors ,solar panels are the way to go with so much scortching sunny days here,you cant go wrong

cassius


Joined: 20/03/2009
Posts: 110

Message Posted:
03/09/2011 00:07

Better Idea (Just a thought really) Sell the land to a gullable person/s then as the kochan is being tranfered take out a mortgage with A* Bank and sit back and retire and whach the world go spinning by.

I should be a dream weaver really????????

Swany



Joined: 01/12/2009
Posts: 255

Message Posted:
03/09/2011 14:48

Hi Mezzo

I have really enjoyed this tread and it looks like you have been given a lot of good ideas. To my way or thinking you are sat on a “proverbial gold mine” if you have that amount of land and water in a land where agricultural commodities are expensive because so many have to be imported.



At this stage I would assume that exporting stuff to anywhere other than Turkey would be hard work due to the restrictions etc. I would be inclined to look at the expensive local agricultural commodities such as beef and lamb. There is a shortage in Turkey much has to be imported form further afield. It was not long ago that old man Niazi was thinking about opening his own farm to supply his own restaurants with meat.



The amount of land you have would allow you to rotate crops which in turn could be used to feed livestock which would give a better return than just the crops them self. The side produce of the livestock would be great fertilizer.....

Swany



Joined: 01/12/2009
Posts: 255

Message Posted:
03/09/2011 14:51

from 31....



You would have the option rearing the livestock intensively of “free range” depending on what market you were looking for.



The rotating of crops would allow you to grow more exotic crops as and when the markets and opportunities opened. It also would lend itself to pork production but this may well give rise to moral issues.



Before getting in to financial services I was formally educated in agriculture and managed farms in the UK so I would be very interested to hear what you decide and how you get on. You must remember that to farm successfully is hard work and 24/7. Good Luck

Swany



Joined: 01/12/2009
Posts: 255

Message Posted:
03/09/2011 15:02

I am sure you have seen this but if you have not it may be a start...

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/72572.asp

mezzo


Joined: 15/04/2011
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
03/09/2011 15:09

Yes Russianbabe ... i have been seeking ,, but investors are hard to come by nowadays .. mayb u have some russian friends whom may be interested !



Swany ... Thnx for the post , interesting read ...so you are educated in agriculture & experience in farms ,, would be nice to chat with you offline , if thats ok

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
03/09/2011 20:16

mezzo/Msh 34:



If and when the embargo is eventually lifted and the import of foreign meatstuffs is allowed, I would not like to be a local producer of what is euphemistically described as 'lamb' in TRNC!