One of the most profitable farming crops is onions. Here the people prefer the local, small variety. Each planted onion will produce about five new growths. The cultivation does need considerable skill and labor. The workers usually are not paid until the crop is harvested. The minumum investment for onions is $5,000 and interest is paid monthly at a rate of 4.4%. Please note that these monthly payments are only paid out during the growing season which is April through December

The cattle business is very lucrative. At certain times of the year, for example during Ramadan and Idul Fitri cattle prices are extremely elevated. Rather than have a cattle farm with all the expenses and headaches, we leave a small number of animals with different families who care for them as if they were their own and to whom we pay a small commission when the animals are sold. As the carers do not get paid until the animals are sold, they make sure that they always have enough food and water so that the bulls will be heavy and fetch a high price at the market. The minimum investment for cattle is $700

There are zillions of motorcycles here in Indonesia. Thus any business catering to this market is sure to make money. It could be a simple business like selling helmets (wearing them is compulsary here) or even a washing service. More complicated, expensive and thus more lucrative would be a complete sales/service/parts store.

A newly built two bedroom house can be built for around 7,000 US dollars. Land and housing prices increase by about 10% annually. However, most families, in spite of the low purchase price, have to get bank financing between five and fifteen years at a high interest rate of around 15% per year. Thus, if you wish to finance the construction of family housing and can handle the financing yourself, you can reap a high return.

Fish farming is becoming very popular here. The two main breeds are Gurami (Carp) and Lele (Catfish). Most of the restaurants serve Carp and it fetches about twice the price of Catfish but there is a snag. From fingerlings, the fish need about nine months of feeding before they reach a saleable size compared to Catfish which require only two to three months.