It should be possible to build up a picture or benchmark the characteristics of successful businesses and their guidelines to help all farmers. Implications Service providers have largely concentrated in the last 10-15 years on improving farm profitability through programs which improve farm productivity. It is assumed that any increase in yields automatically translates into higher farm profitability. It is also assumed that this is the major means of improving farm profitability. The research results question this assumption.
Sustainability is another important issue.
Business and financial decisions may be just as important or more important in influencing farm profitability as increasing rice yields. The highest rice yields did not necessarily equate to highest farm profitability. The study also showed that the most profitable business used significantly more water than less profitable businesses. This raises the issue as to whether the most profitable businesses are also sustainable.