Today, everyone that has an access to the Internet, can easily become a successful farmer, at least in a virtual world. The so-called online game “Farmville” allows anyone to experience all the positive and negative sides (not that there are any) of the farm life. What makes this online game to be so massively popular are the two pleasures it provides at the same time: being virtual farmer from home or any other location and also being part of multimillion online community. Millions of users around the world participate in this online farming community, where they communicate with each other, get a chance to see how easily it is to cultivate fields, to feed and breed different species of animals without the need of any proper farming equipment. All that is needed is a computer with an access to the Internet and of course, lots of free time.

But apart from the virtual world where literally everything is possible, the real picture of farming is very different. Real farmers have different needs and real problems, they need adequate farming equipment, resources and the right skills to ensure fruitful harvest and healthy livestock. Many things matter such as how to keep animals safe; how to fertilize soil and grow various crops; what kind of farming equipment is needed for each of tough and demanding farming activities and tasks. If a comparison is made between the most popular Internet game and the most practiced work profession, the results are far from what can be expected.

Many factors in real farming are nothing like the ones used for fun harvesting in Farmville. Women mid 40s are the most common virtual farmers. In reality, on a global scale, farming is predominantly male job that requires muscles, skills and real farming equipment. The virtual farmers outnumber the real farmers in a ratio 80 to 1 even though the majority of these players do not have any real interest in farming. In real world, majority of people do not live nor work on farms, while it is estimated that one farmer provides food for approximately 160 people.

Also, unlike in Farmville, real farmers must use high quality seeds, fertilizers, tools and equipment. This is important to ensure successful harvesting season. Especially important is the equipment. It must be durable and easy to maneuver and maintain in order to increase working productivity. For example, the new trend almost all Australian farmers seem to follow, is investing in small compact Chinese tractors. Since not as popular as John Deere products, Chinese tractors are affordable, yet super durable and efficient. And Australian farmers are always looking for super efficient ways to improve their work and deliver high quality products. Yes, this all costs money, but luckily there are many high quality tractors for sale in Australia farmers can add to their inventory.

In addition, if the real world was like Farmville, it would take about 10-12 hours for any plant to grow and every day the number of farmers would grow – simply said, the world would be a perfect place to live in. But, we do not live in Farmville. Work on real farms is never completed and farming life is in reality, a hard one.