Cassava and other crop farming

Cosmas    Jan 22, 2022

I have not been keen in applying for further loan because the loan amount being suggested is far too small for my scale of operations. I am managing whatever I can from salary. Thanks. Cosmas.

Cosmas    Oct 19, 2021

The loan was part of what was utilized in weed control measures. My cassava crops and plantain crops are doing pretty well.

Cosmas    Aug 16, 2021

I suggest that loan application format should be made more robust to accommodate some business plans. Take my case as an example. As already stated I am into cassava crop and plantain farming. The main expenditure items at this stage are land clearing, tree felling, if applicable, purchase cassava sticks, hire of labour, application of weed control, hire of surveillance team to ward off occasional intruders, and hire of those who weed the farm until harvest time. Then add the cost of labour who will help to harvest the tubers, ready for processing into garri or outright sale to big time retailers. With this picture in mind, it not possible for me to project any weekly sales forecast for my type of business. I can how much I may need to plant a farmland and the yield only comes in a year's time. If a loan is approved for me to meet my target I can repay from my monthly salary, being a Senior Lecturer in my university. I can disclose how much I earn if required. Thanks.
Cosmas Ogobuchi Odo (ph.D).

Cosmas    Aug 4, 2021

I have just repaid the loan in full a couple of minutes ago. I know I needed some bigger amount of loan fund for my ongoing project. For instance, I was at site with hired labourers who helped with the planting of plantain suckers. I paid them N3000,besides the lunch I provided. That's the local practice here in my village: Obuoffia Awkunanaw, Enugu State, Nigeria. You not only pay for their hire but must provide lunch in addition.
It was also an opportunity for me to negotiate with the dolmer who would fell the big trees in the farm land. He is to saw the trees into planks ( these I will sell to recover part of the cost of labour hire) and the rest will be pecked into firewood. The firewood will also be sold to provide fuel for the locals. The dolmer service charge is N35,000. I am yet to mobilise him to start work. The cost for tilling and hoeing the prepared land is N15000. He started work yesterday. Manual labour is used in my village for two reasons. The first is to help provide employment for the locals. Unemployment and destitution is a challenge here in my village. Two, use of tractor is rare because it's hard to secure, apart from it being cost-effective given the size of land.
My is rain-fed agriculture and I must ensure planting is done with before middle of August. Clearly, the amount I need is far more than I have received as loan but I must sincerely thank my funders for showing interest in my project, especially when we are separated from one another. Thanks immensely. I promise to keep you posted on the progress being made. Cosmas.

Cosmas    Aug 4, 2021

Dear funder,
This is to confirm to you that I received the sum of N4, 823 as loan. I must appreciate you for that. The money has been used up as part of the labour cost for my cassava farm. I intend to repay enblock before end of next week. Many thanks.