Telling the times in the weather

MY talks with the business graduates in the past few weeks reminded me of how perceptive about the future real business personnel and entrepreneurs are.
They see the times, movement and settlements of people and make the most to make some money.
They look into the future and know the good times or bad times that are about to come.
They make the right decisions to avert awful consequences and continue making profits.
In 2008, when the world was reeling in the economic downturn, everybody was panicking. But a few savvy businessmen and women continued to reap well despite the panic that left countries praying for a way out.
I realised a few years back (when I was working with weather data) that good economists and agriculturists are sharp scientists.
They anticipate what the weather will be months or years ahead and plan accordingly.
I learnt that in some western countries the weather stations and the bureau that runs them are well-equipped.
Farmers who grow crops in the food basket regions of a country know that the type of weather they get in a few months or years’ time will definitely affect the food output.    
The El Nino and La Nina phenomena, which has a cycle of five years, were known by South Americans many years before the westerners arrived.
The cities and authorities planned accordingly when they saw the signs in the sea and skies.
Today, the Chilean and Peru meteorologists (weather scientists) continue to use modern weather data to help the government to plan its activities.
When there is too much rain (El Nino episode in South America), Peru decreases construction and fishing activities because the ocean will be warmer.
On the other hand, they increase farming activities. 
When there is no rain (La Nina episode), the country increases activities in construction work and fishing.
In Papua New Guinea, more than a decade ago some provinces were reaping a lot  from the sale of vanilla beans.
Villagers were richer than most public servants.
But that phase disappeared because farmers were not getting the same amount of money as they did in the late 1990s and early 2000.
Most of those villagers have since replanted their vanilla gardens with cocoa.
Those who were wise bought PMV trucks and continued making money in another venture when one wound up.
If you plan to start a business in the future, take the time to think through some of these ideas.
l Next week: Who will benefit more during economic booms?