What does it cost to launch a new SFC farm?
It costs approximately $200,000 for each new farm. This includes the initial establishment of a compound, clearing of no less than 100 acres, tractors and implements, and salaries for the first eighteen months of operation – after which it is expected they will be self-supporting under the regulations of the SFC.
We have two areas of accounting. One is for the operational expenses for the actual working of the farm. The other is for capitol development which includes buildings, land-clearing and facility infrastructure. It costs approximately $200,000 to get a new farm up and running. This includes the initial establishment of a compound, clearing of no less than 100 acres, tractors and implements, and salaries for the first eighteen months of operation – after which it is expected they will be operationally self-supporting under the regulations of the SFC. None has reached 500 acres at this point. Every year more land is cleared and the acreage increases. As the acreage increases, so does their financial foundation. Most of the farms have the potential of eventually 2,000 acres. Some of the SFC farms provide ploughing, harrowing, planting and cultivating under contract to small land-holders, or to government agricultural schools or enterprises.
