[rdouble]

It's important to watch what trader/pundits like Jim Rogers actually do, not just listen to what he says. He's made a big deal about the current and future commodities boom, but he's also running a group of commodities funds. He makes bold claims about how Balliol MBAs should be buying farms instead of going into other industries, but he does not own any farms. He moved his young daughter to Singapore so that she could become fluent in Mandarin, he did not move her to Minnesota so that she could learn how to farm soybeans. It's always going to be better to be the commodities trader who controls a market than it is to be the producer of that commodity. If you watch what he has done, rather than what he says... you want to move to Singapore to broker commodities to the emerging asian markets, not move to Fresno to start an orchard.

Regarding "why" people may choose to make iPhone apps instead of farming. It's almost impossible to get started up in agriculture for someone who hasn't inherited a farm. Farmland where I'm from is over $10K per acre at the moment. You need millions of dollars just to buy the land. Then you need millions of dollars to buy all the equipment. Also, subsidies only happen for cash crops and commodities like milk and pork, you don't get subsidies for organic chicken and vegetables.

[LekkoscPiwa]

one doesnt need to own land to participate in the agriculture industry. It seems that food stand might be all it takes. Jim rogrrs moved to singapore and not minesota because he participates in the agriculture industry using his brokerage skills. probably much mire effective given his background. my claim is this: write software that has to do with agriculture. might be a great niche. and if you are young enough dont waste your time studying IT to compete with bazolion others to write apps for free. rather help in an industry likr agriculture where supply is very weak and demand is very strong. ever heard of restaurants giving out food for free on a regular basis to lure in customers?