Cassava farming, a global need.

The current global food crisis has brought to the fore the need to avert hunger. Cassava can grow in different types of soils where other crops cannot. It requires minimal fertilizer, pesticides and water. Also, because cassava can be harvested anytime from 8 to 24 months after planting, it can be left in the ground as a safeguard against unexpected food shortages. Studies have shown that the crop when left in the ground can prevent erosions on farmland after other crops have been harvested. The following processing technology is according to research by the food and Agricultural organization (FAO)

Processing of cassava

Once harvested cassava, deteriorates so it must be eaten or processed quickly. Although some varieties can be eaten raw or cooked like raw potatoes, many contain high levels of cyanogenic glycosides that must be removed before they can be eaten. The toxins are typically removed from these bitter varieties by peeling and grating the root to make a pulp that is then left to ferment slightly before being pressed, dried and roasted. In Brazil, this processed meal is known as Farinha de manioca and in West Africa, gari. Garri accounts for 70 percent of Nigeria’s total Cassava consumption. In other parts of Africa, The fermented cassava pulp is pounded into paste, known as fufu. If these traditional foods are to become the basis for commercially viable local industries, new and improved processing technologies will be required. Commercial cassava produces need to find ways of increasing production, reducing labor cost and improving product quality in order to compete with imported grains.

However, the current global food crisis is a pointer that Nigeria should be less dependent on imported foods or raw materials to feed its populace. Inclusion of cassava in flour production ought to increase from the 10 percent mandate given by policy instrument. There is a greater need to produce four 100 percent from cassava to make bread and other confectionery. Research by Federal Institute of industrial Research has shown that bread, cakes, cookies etc made from cassava are very palatable. Oat was also made from cassava. The major challenge is still the fact that production and processing of cassava for flour is still at very high cost. This can be resolved as the government and people continue to explore ways of improving agricultural productivity in the country.

The development of high-quality cassava flour could help many developing countries reduce their dependence on imported grains. One report has stated that a 15 percent substitution of cassava flour for wheat could save Nigeria close to US$ 15 million a year in foreign exchange. In January bakers of bammy bread made from cassava meal have been successful in carving out a profitable market niche. Simply put many governments could save money by making sound investment in the development of their commercial cassava industry according to FAO

INVESTING IN DUBAI PROPERTY PART 1

Dubai one of the states in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeks today to move away from its traditional oil dependence to a more balanced one based on tourism and services. As a result, its economy has grown with a more and more tourism resorts coming up to meet this aim. This article will list three reasons why you should invest in the Dubai today.

Firstly, Dubai as mentioned earlier is becoming a services hub and in particular a financial services hub, there is going to be an increase in the number of foreign professionals who are flocking there to work and with a high pay and tax free status over there, the average rental yields of properties there is above the average. Currently the single room studio apartments are doing the best in terms of rental since the expatriates that work in Dubai tend to be single individuals so this would be a great real estate investment tip to note if you intend to invest in Dubai.

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Secondly, the cost of Dubai property relative to international standards is still very low and as a result the chance of a large capital appreciation increase is very high. Coupled with the bullish take on rentals as mentioned above, the prices of your real estate investment in Dubai will be set to soar in the next few months. a

The reasoning cited by some real estate professionals is that when US and UK sourced money starts flowing into such properties, the value of the real estate will reach international standards and you would make a handsome profit from the capital appreciation.

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Thirdly, there is currently a Disneyland attraction being built there and this would result in an increase in tourist visitors to Dubai. If your property is located near Disneyland, there is a chance that you will be able to rent out your property to people going there on holiday. As for problems with rental collections, most real estate companies double up as property mangers and developers so they will be able to handle most of the payment collections on your behalf.

In conclusion, Dubai represents one of the emerging markets where your investment dollar may make a lot more. Spending some time considering whether you want to investment in Dubai property may be worthwhile when considering the potential benefits involved.

Negotiating in real estate

“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” (American 35th US President (1961-63), 1917- 1963)

Even the most famous recognize the need for the art of negotiation. To be able to make a good real estate deal, you must develop the art of good negotiation or find someone who can do the negotiating for you.

The real secret of being a successful negotiator is to help both parties obtain their goals. To do this you must present your case in a businesslike way and close the transaction. This can be accomplished in 4 steps.

1. The first step in any negotiation is to know your goal. If you have someone else negotiating on your behalf, make sure they understand what your ultimate goal is. If your goal is to get the property at the lowest price, make sure you understand exactly what is involved to achieve that success.

Don’t be afraid to reevaluate your goals. If during the negotiation process new details come to light that may allow you to obtain your goal by a different means, allow yourself the ability to explore the new details, don’t get stuck in your negotiations by being too rigid.

Once you are comfortable with your goals, and understand how far you are willing to go to obtain the property, you are ready to move to the next step. However, even when you are comfortable with your goals, you must be flexible. Remember there are two parties involved and the other party may present an option that could get you to your goal faster. In real estate there are several ways to achieve the same desire.

2. There are two types of negotiations: Blind and Open.

In a blind negotiation you don’t know anything about the other party. You do all the negotiation via an agent or third party and don’t meet the sellers. Keep in mind you may be dealing only with the other parties agent and they have their clients interest at heart.

In this type of negotiation your homework is very important. Know the property, know the market, and know values so you are able to negotiate the deal that is best for you, or be able to walk away. Blind negotiations can be handled, but they are a bit more time consuming.

Open negotiations are a bit easier, but require you do be good at your homework. In an open negotiation you may be working with the for sale by owner. In this way you have access to a bit more information.

If during your negotiations you begin having problems on a particular point, such as price, do your homework. Find out why the other party is buying or selling. Knowing the other parties motivation can give you the upper hand. For instance, if you know the seller or buyer needs to move quickly, you will then have a bit more leverage to work with.

What homework will help you in your negotiations?

a. Why does the other person want to buy or sell?

b. Who is the other person trying to impress?

c. Know the timing aspect of the transaction.

d. Verify the facts.

3. In the art of negotiating, it is critical to get started on the right foot. Do not try to antagonize the other parties to the transaction. Be very neutral about the entire deal.

a. Don’t praise or criticize the property.

b. Don’t try too hard to buy or sell the property.

c. Don’t criticize the other parties to the transaction, including any agents involved.

d. Explain motivation without disclosing too much information.

e. Meet all deadlines or better yet be ahead of the deadlines.

f. Do not lie, rather say nothing.

4. Communication is the key to negotiation. However, too much talking can kill your negotiations. Make your offers in a written contract and let the other party do the same. Remember “lose lips sink ships.”

When you begin talking to the other party you will give away too much of your motivation. You may think you can better obtain information from the other party about their motivation, but keep in mind it works both ways.

Now that you’ve learned the 4 basic steps to negotiating you are ready to go out and get the property you desire. You must also keep in mind that not all negotiations turn into real estate deals. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that is not to your liking. Otherwise you may well find yourself making very bad deals and wasting your negotiation skills. Good luck and good negotiating.

THINKING SKILLS

How Skilled is your thinking? Does your thinking help you achieve? How productive have you been maximizing your thoughts? Successful people think differently than unsuccessful people.

Which type of thinking do you believe would increase your odds for success?

Small thinking or big picture thinking?

Scattered thinking or focused thinking?

Restrictive thinking or creative thinking?

Fantasy thinking or realistic thinking?

Random thinking or Strategic thinking?

Limited thinking or possibility thinking?

Impulsive thinking or Reflective thinking?

Popular thinking or Innovative thinking?

Solo thinking or Shared thinking

Selfish thinking or Unselfish thinking?

Wishful thinking or Bottom-line thinking?

Good thinking creates the foundation for good results. If you must change you results then you must change your thought pattern for the better. Poor thinking produces negative progress. Average thinking produces no progress. Good thing produces some progress, while great thinking produces great progress. Choose your bait then