I was in a meeting a few weeks back, and some of our more "attentive" members of public were clamoring for Agriculture to be the next moneymaking venture in the Bahamas.
They feel that it is the right time and the right way to go because;
1. We must be able to feed our selves, in order to become more independent from Uncle Sam.
2. We have farmers willing to sell produce in our markets.
3. We have no need to import fruit, even though we do at an enormous rate.
I happen to think that farming, even though the thought is nice, is not the way to go for obvious reasons.
Some one else chimed in and said that "Intellectual Property" is the new wave.... nice thought once again, but who will capitalize?
I have my own thoughts, but if any of you can shed more light on both ideas, it will be greatly appreciated!


It seems these "attentive" members of public perhaps knew what they are talking about. I guess I am digging up old news, but I could not help but notice there has been more and more talk about processing corn to Ethanol as an alternative source of energy. Now I don’t know any business that is bigger than the energy business or better known as the oil business, the biggest opportunity ever for farmers, everywhere. Are we looking into this? Farmers everywhere (all over the world) are acting on this opportunity, what about Bahamians. Do we have the space to take advantage of this market? Or are we going to sit on the sideline and let some foreigners come in and hire us to plant and pick corn. Because we are a small nation in numbers (population) this does not mean we must also be small in mind or are we? Does anybody know if there are any local discussions on this subject here in the Bahamas? Let me know.

we'll need a cornfield big as Andros and using 10,000 to 20,000 workers. and big bucks for salaries and equipment.

It seems these "attentive" members of public perhaps knew what they are talking about. I guess I am digging up old news, but I could not help but notice there has been more and more talk about processing corn to Ethanol as an alternative source of energy. Now I don’t know any business that is bigger than the energy business or better known as the oil business, the biggest opportunity ever for farmers, everywhere. Are we looking into this? Farmers everywhere (all over the world) are acting on this opportunity, what about Bahamians. Do we have the space to take advantage of this market? Or are we going to sit on the sideline and let some foreigners come in and hire us to plant and pick corn. Because we are a small nation in numbers (population) this does not mean we must also be small in mind or are we? Does anybody know if there are any local discussions on this subject here in the Bahamas? Let me know.

buddy where have you been...we've had a few threads about this very same thing!...in the search screen just type in e10 or e85 and stuff should come up! but Im really not feeling the corn I thinka better avenue for us to go with is ethanol derived from sugar solids (Brazil). (http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6817)this is one reason our foreign minister can rack up some of those frequent flyer miles...and I wouldnt have a problem with it...form an alliance in latin america or work through channels we already have established like OAS or whatever else is out there.


as to your questions we have the space(land) but as discussed on another thread...soil quality is a hinderance...I know Jamaican had some plans to start producing sugar cane for this purpose...but as with everything in this country the cost of living and labor cost is a factor...we can do this ourselves...it would be a crying shame if we were to make a billionair or hundred millionaire out of some other foreignor...that would be a national travesty.

I was watching a program on cnn just recently about this (http://www.earth-policy.org/index.htm)( I was telling YK about it)...I find your thread quite apropos...but good on you nonetheless

we'll need a cornfield big as Andros and using 10,000 to 20,000 workers. and big bucks for salaries and equipment.

not corn...sugar!

for 200K cars...please be serious! have you seen the state of IOWA? they rpoduce their corn in that state...if that's enough for them that sure should be a hell of enough for us and we dont have 100 million drivers! and 10 thousands workers...are you serious...atlantis doesnt even employ 5K folks...why would this operation need all that...we talking about the independence of Bahamians here...not anybody else...us..but I heard somewhere that we always try to live like we have a population of 3 million when were only 10% of that!

an aquaintence just started importing solar panels to start a biz here in that .

not corn...sugar!
for 200K cars...please be serious! have you seen the state of IOWA? they rpoduce their corn in that state...if that's enough for them that sure should be a hell of enough for us and we dont have 100 million drivers! and 10 thousands workers...are you serious...atlantis doesnt even employ 5K folks...why would this operation need all that...we talking about the independence of Bahamians here...not anybody else...us..but I heard somewhere that we always try to live like we have a population of 3 million when were only 10% of that!


for export as well. not just for us.

for export as well. not just for us.

we dont have govt agriculutral subsidies like te US and we dont have economies of scale like a jamaica or brazil where their people work for pennies on the dollar...the Bahamas has a high labour cost: who is gonna buy ethanol from us when it cost 5 to make as opposed to elsewhere where it may cost a buck to produce?

producing ethanol in our country should mean fuel independence for us...now if we find a way to lower cost and compete in the world ethanol market then im game...but from what I can see...were dead in the water if were talking about going to the world market w/ high labor cost and govt corruption and meddling and low worker productivity and...the intent wasnt to come off pessimistic but this is the reality.

if we even started having an e10 available for consumers Bahamians would feel the difference in their pockets. and maybe the price of unleaded would go down a bit.

we dont have govt agriculutral subsidies like te US and we dont have economies of scale like a jamaica or brazil where their people work for pennies on the dollar...the Bahamas has a high labour cost: who is gonna buy ethanol from us when it cost 5 to make as opposed to elsewhere where it may cost a buck to produce?
producing ethanol in our country should mean fuel independence for us...now if we find a way to lower cost and compete in the world ethanol market then im game...but from what I can see...were dead in the water if were talking about going to the world market w/ high labor cost and govt corruption and meddling and low worker productivity and...the intent wasnt to come off pessimistic but this is the reality.
if we even started having an e10 available for consumers Bahamians would feel the difference in their pockets. and maybe the price of unleaded would go down a bit.


well then, can it be done at all? even on a small scale just for us? we would still have low worker productivity, govt corruption, etc. right?

well then, can it be done at all? even on a small scale just for us? we would still have low worker productivity, govt corruption, etc. right?

it can but it will be expensive to produce...that is all im saying...now you know the real reason why...I hate to say that we have to be more dependent on others but if they are doing it better and can get more yield and have put in the research and legwork into getting it right...why not let them...why not just import it from brazil...they could use our dollars...sugar that is...not corn.

an aquaintence just started importing solar panels to start a biz here in that .


This is interesting. What uses will the panels have? I know that water heating is one potential. The sad thing is, these panels tend to be expensive, and maintenance and parts are always an issue.

Regarding another alternative energy avenue I read somewhere about power plants being retrofitted with scrubbers that redirect their emissions over specially engineered algae that converts the waste into usable natural gas. It is currently only being investigated but current yields are sufficient to offset costs, it reduces power plant emissions drastically and yields are expected to increase exponentially. If this isn't killed by big oil it has great potential.

well then, can it be done at all? even on a small scale just for us? we would still have low worker productivity, govt corruption, etc. right?
Have yinna factored in the distribution end? Cause we all know the oil companies won't let you use their stations.

This is interesting. What uses will the panels have? I know that water heating is one potential. The sad thing is, these panels tend to be expensive, and maintenance and parts are always an issue.

Replace the generator in your home or business ... myself i dont know enough about it to go into any detail. But the units they are bringing in are inexpensive and they will have all replacement parts, warranty, etc. They are also importing brand new Mopeds which sell for around $900 here in Nassau, and are actually on the dock as we speak.

Replace the generator in your home or business ... myself i dont know enough about it to go into any detail. But the units they are bringing in are inexpensive and they will have all replacement parts, warranty, etc. They are also importing brand new Mopeds which sell for around $900 here in Nassau, and are actually on the dock as we speak.
If its the guys on the radio the other day,what they're actually proposing is for you to use their panels to offset your energy cost,by running stuff that are power consuming on their panels.

If its the guys on the radio the other day,what they're actually proposing is for you to use their panels to offset your energy cost,by running stuff that are power consuming on their panels.


Dont know .. but you know the guy i mean .. ;)