The eventual success of a project is almost always determined during the evaluation and planning stages.  Opportunities

for cost savings and risk reduction are the greatest during the pre-feasibility and feasibility phases, but decrease as the project moves toward completion.  Many projects fail to meet expectations because of inadequate planning, which may result in excessive changes, inadequate resources, and funding shortfalls during construction.  Hortactix pre-Investment planning services are designed to help farm owners, developers, and investors identify and mitigate potential problems, by applying the most detailed planning at the earliest time possible.

 

Conceptual and Project Identification Studies

 

Conceptual studies are the first step in the agricultural project development cycle. Many times, farmers or investors may want to develop an agricultural project but need assistance in focusing and choosing the most appropriate agricultural field (vegetables, flowers, poultry, aquaculture, etc.)  Conceptual and identification study converts the initial idea to a tangible one by: Study the local conditions in terms of climate, soil, water sources and quality and topography; Identify the relative advantages and disadvantages of the potential site; Propose specific project (s) for development; prepare a preliminary economic analysis for the proposed project; Outline issues and options to be evaluated in the feasibility study at a later stage.

 

Feasibility Studies 

 

An initial and objective formulation of a feasibility study is extremely important. The feasibility study: provides the basis for critical decisions to be made by the owners, investors, and/or regulatory agencies regarding whether or not to proceed with the project; serves as the basis for securing project financing; establishes the scope, schedule, budget, and execution plan for the project; and makes it possible, in the project development cycle, to dramatically reduce risks and make substantial changes at relatively low costs without adversely impacting the project development timeline. When conducting feasibility studies, Hortactix manages the work of specialty consultants or contractors, if needed, and coordinates its own work with the contribution of the owner/investor to produce a study that: identifies site-specific issues; defines the agricultural methods and technologies to be used in the project; prepares an agricultural and production plan based on the relevant markets; prepares the project’s organizational and management structure; estimates required project capital and operating costs; presents the cash flow and economic evaluation of the project; examines the project for fatal flaws and presents sensitivity analysis; determines the required steps and timetable for project implementation.

 

Detailed Design 

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Following the completion of the feasibility study and the decision to go ahead with the project, Hortactix will prepare a detailed design that: provides the final scope of the project; provides detailed engineering plans for the various elements of the project; water and irrigation systems, machinery, buildings, roads, drainage, etc.; provides updated agricultural growing and production plan; provides updated market evaluation; provides updated investment and production cost estimation; provides updated economic and financial evaluation and sensitivity analysis; develops a detailed execution plan and project schedule;

 

Independent Study Review 

 

While conducting Independent study reviews, usually on an owner’s or investor’s behalf, Hortactix will review conceptual, pre-feasibility or feasibility studies prepared by third parties to ensure the following: soundness of the project execution plan and project schedule; recognition of local conditions or other factors that could impact project performance; accuracy of the cost estimates and the economic evaluation; Identification of issues or options to be addressed during the next phase of development; consideration of optional concepts or methods to optimize project cost and schedule performance; and

validity of the study’s conclusions and recommendations.

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Project Management

 

During operation and production, immediately after the setting up phase is completed, the operation and production start. This requires strong and professional management system. Hortactix has the knowledge and the experience in building and operating such a system and suggests to supplying these services according to the client’s needs.

 

Ongoing Management Services

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• Managing and agronomic  supervising the on – going production of the project;

• Providing management manpower for the key positions as required;

• Managing and supervision of the finance of the project including preparation of financial reports for the Board of Directors;

• Management of marketing and the sales of the project’s products;

 

The managers and professionals that will be allocated by Hortactix will be also used to train the local staff.

All these services shall be agreed upon and specified according to the client’s needs and requirements.