Extra Monthly Income in the Philippines?

Philippines Farm Investment provides for supplemental income

A group of experts in agriculture plus expats from different countries have found the answer to the need of OFW’s and non-Filipinos living in the Philippines to have a supplemental income; investment in agriculture. Profits are projected to be higher than what can be achieved with a condotel-unit.

Philippines - February 6, 2010 - The idea of Farm Investment was born from the wish of many Filipinos who are working abroad (OFW's) plus 'foreigner expats' to have a supplemental income while living in the Philippines.
The groups consultant Will Irwin noted that “somehow many people seem to think that condotels are a good (and the only possible-) investment opportunity in the Philippines but a condotel is not meant to be an investment; it's a 'nice second home' at best. If you want to invest your money in the Philippines then agriculture is the most obvious answer since this country has all that is required to produce extremely high yields; what is lacking is mostly the implementation of the latest know-how and technologies”.

The group consists of Filipinos and non-Filipinos (expats living in the Philippines) from different nationalities working together with Universities who provide the 'technical know-how' and with government officials who give full support; together they are developing Low Risk - High R.O.I. agri investment opportunities. Point of focus is the Pili Nut (for export) which seems to give a much higher profit than condotels.

The obvious location of the farms will be the Bicol Region and Romblon because the pili tree grows there indigenous. The group also coordinates closely with all Philippine retirement villages which are being developed in the same region. According to Will Irwin “this is one of the top places to retire overseas because of the low cost while the environment is as beautifull as Boracay which has 1 million visitors per year”.

With the 'Farm Investment' concept anyone (Filipino or 'foreigner'; overseas real estate investors or individuals) can buy shares of stock in a development company or buy a lot (1 hectare or more) of a farm, growing Pili nuts and/or 'Quick-Cash-Crops'. All is done under supervision of the group. It will not only provide for a solid monthly extra-income; the worth of the property will increase because of the retirement villages nearby.

Some of the differences between ‘owning a condotel’ and 'farm investment' are:
- Buyers of a condotel-unit own only 'the space between the walls of the room' for as long as the condo-tower exists while farm-lot owners really own the lot permanently; even non-Filipinos can be 100% in control.
- Income from renting out a condotel in the Philippines heavily depends on occupancy rate which have to be high at all times to ensure a good ROI. A global recesion, terrorism, political unrest or oversupply of units can have great negative impact on occupancy rate hence on ROI.
- Appreciation of the unit in case of resale is possible when purchasing at pre-construction stage but becomes uncertain at a later stage.
- There seem to be an additional emotional value to the farms; an overseas property investment which can be a hobby also. For example the beehives between the Pili trees which not only provide organic honey but also can give a crop- or harvest increase of 30%.

A 'demo-farm' has been set up where interested investors are briefed about the latest developments and individuals can get more information about available investment options.

About Will Irwin: he is the author of several books about 'Living in the Philippines' for expats and retirees and is an appointed consultant for the Farm Investment project. He can be contacted at email philippines.consultant at gmail.com or through the website http://www.sibonga.com

Good Investment in the Philippines
(Estimated Minimum ROI 20% )

Expats, OFW’s, Americans, Europeans etc.

The most frequently asked question I hear from Expats who want to live in the Philippines is "How do I earn extra monthly income?"
A lot of Americans, Europeans and other Nationals ('foreigners') who want to retire in the Philippines have 'some money' but could use 'some extra Dollars'.

The most promising solution might be the Organic Farms, managed by a group of 'foreigners'.
Technical know-how for the crops is provided by foreign experts, Researchers from Philippine Universities and they have full suport from Philippine Government Representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Industry etc. etc. (maybe even YOU can assist as an expert?)

The basic idea boils down to the fact that the Philippines has all that is required to produce extremely high yields in agriculture; what is lacking is mostly the implementation of the latest know-how and technologies;
- Pili nuts can give a great yearly harvest for up to 100 years...
The first 4 years they do not produce a harvest but it is custom to just grow some 'quick-cash-crops' between the trees to have a nice income.
A 50 hectare farm is in full operation now. It's mainly an export product.
- Honey bees for organic honey; The demand for honey - especially organic honey - international - is huge now. And the price very good too. Bees increase the fruit volume with more than 30 %!!!
- All other kinds of fruit and vegetables, Guyabano, aloe vera, coffee etc.
- Organic chicken in addition to some horses and goats.

The 'Brains' behind this endeavour are now working out the most profitable combination of crops, trees and others. They know also the location (hundreds of hectares of land-) where this all will be materialized.
Retirement Villages for Americans, Europeans etc. are already being build near the projected farms; the whole location is developing very fast meaning great appreciation of real estate prices; also due to increasing (Eco-) tourism.

They are looking for investors and ultimately anyone would be allowed to invest in one hectare or more of the 'farm'.
Profits will be higher than investing in a condotel or the stockmarket.

The great thing is that you get a monthly income from the lot you buy (all work can be done for you if you prefer so) and whenever you are ready you can build a house on it also.
A project under supervision of foreigners like you; welcome to the club of like-minded Expats in the Philippines!

Some foreigners prefer to first rent a house and live with their girlfriend for a while before taking the next step (marry and/or build a house).
Meanwhile they have a nice extra income from the farmland they bought (of which THEY are the 'owner'; not their fiancee).
Some even argue; "Why I should build a house anyway? I better invest that money in farmland and with the income of that I just rent a house and even have money left for other things".

Your lot will be part of an overall approximately 80 hectare project whereby individual lot owners profit from shared machinery and infrastructure.

- Full support of the Philippine Government because its GREEN, its Eco and brings development to rural areas.
- Ideal for a 'passive investor' (you don't neccessary have to make your hands dirty; you even don't have to live on the land, just buy it as investment; the day-to-day land management is done for you) as compared to the active participation required to operate a retail- or manufacturing business.
Too many foreigners are thinking they can make some money in the Philippines with an Internetcafe or a restaurant.
- REMEMBER ALSO: any land/lot you buy will never lose its value; it will most likely even skyrocket in price.
Even if you buy it at 50% downpayment and the rest per month for a few years with a little interest; the lot will meanwhile go up in price.
- Foreigners can not own land in the Philippines in their name but by taking ownership in a 'corporation' (paperwork done for you) you gain ownership and 100% control.
- Whenever you are ready later you can build a little home in the middle of your land to live there or use it as vacation-house.
- Security-guards are included in the 'retirement village concept' and there will be enough like-minded Foreign Nationals to have a chat with.


Why is this concept of 'income producing agricultural land' the best investment in the Philippines?
- Because its 'hassle free'; you are guided by a 'foreigner' (mostly from your country-) in every step involved.
- Because you will 'share' the (expensive) needed harvest-equipment and machines like a tractor and you will have roads to- and from markets all of which would be not profitable if you would do the same on your own little piece of land anywhere else...
- Because you bypass the expensive 'Big Name Developers'.
Local Filipino farmers are not negatively affected because most products are for export plus they benefit from the fact that the retirement villages and farms create jobs and provide non-profit support for them also.
- Because it gives you 'residual income' wherever you are and all work is being done for you!
- Because it might be your hobby; a vegetable farm, flower farm, mango farm, goat farm, rice farm, poultry farm, piggery (hog) farm, game farm, dairy farm, cattle farm, bee farm etc.


Be one of the first and grab those 'most-wanted' lots with the perfect view; overlooking the sea and hills.

Your house in the middle of your 1-ha lot; also the solution for 'karaoke-terror'.
(There's nothing wrong with karaoke IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD FOR IT,
but your opinion changes very quickly when a neighbor is in the mood at 11 PM and you are not...)

I also encourage retirees to reside at least 200 km from the wife's family, or ever day someone will be knocking on your door for a hand out. Nevertheless, most never listen to me - they listen to their 'sweetheart'.
(can’t blame you, love is blind I know, but dont tell me later I didn't warn you!)
Sooner than later they all find out that I was right and now are stuck with an expensive home they already built (and do not own because they did not listen to my other advice about taking a look at my list of options to be 100% in control of your property instead of letting your Filipina wife or girlfriend be the owner).


Do you want to know more?
Please email to philippines.consultant@gmail.com:
- comlete name
- email address
- contact number
- approx. amount of investment ($30,000 minimum)