Dear lenders, support my fish-farming project

Entrepreneur

About Me

My name is Samuel Kamau Chege. I am a young, energetic person aged at 31 years. I was born and raised in Kangari town that is situated at Kinyona Location, Kigumo Division, Muranga County I work at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology as a data entry clerk at the College of Health Sciences (COHES). I started a fish-farming project in my farm last year that is turning out to be a lucrative business with high earnings. Everyone can agree that I am a responsible and a hard-working person. Moreover, being a sociable person, I have many friends since I like to communicate with people and get to know new interesting individuals. I enjoy my time assisting others: it is really nice to be friendly and ready to help. I like to receive and deal with challenging tasks. I am a very enthusiastic person and I think this is a strong point of mine.
My friends say that I am a very funny and interesting with a good sense of humor. As soon as I meet new people who are happy to meet me, I feel extremely comfortable with them. I believe that friendship is one of the most important values in human life. We exchange new ideas, find many interesting things about each other and experience new things. I appreciate friendship and people who surround me. I like playing Chess and watching movies, farming as my hobbies and also enjoy reading novels.

My Business

After intensive research and consultative meetings with people in Kandara, I identified commercial Agriculture with fishing as a main aspect that can help to reducing hunger and poverty in Kenya. It benefits both the rural and urban poor. I decided to start SAMKAM Farm that operates all aspects of agriculture that is production, processing, storage and marketing. In future I SAMKAM Farm intends also to import agricultural inputs and export products from the country. The company operates in my farm but will acquire a permanent office in the near future.
My company uses a technology called the floating cage system, whereby large quantity of fish is enclosed in a relatively small area in the water pond and nurtured to maturity within a period of six
month. Fish are harvested monthly from different water ponds that contain fish at different stages of maturity. Currently I have 12 small ponds to assist continuous fish supply throughout the year. The system allows good monitoring and provision of security since not a large area is used.
RETURNS ON INVESTMENT
From the different ponds I am able to harvest approximately 1,000 fish that retail at 2$ each. It is very clear that returns on investment can increase to a high of 80% per annum if the fish are managed well.
THE MARKET
The market for my product (fish) in Thika is very large and sometimes I am not able to satisfy my market.
BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT
This is one project that is beneficial to all stakeholders namely;
• I receive good returns since I am able to monitor every stage of the project.
• SAMKAM farm has created jobs for inhabitant of my community. At least five (5) jobs have been generated since the farm is in full operations and also has employed indirectly other individuals who market and sell my fish.
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
I manage my farm solely with the help of my who has over ten years fishing experience and training in fish farming from K.A.R.I fish farms (Naivasha).
K.A.R.I (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute) is always available to provide technical support and are consulted for advice. K.A.R.I provides technical men for the construction of the ponds and cages to ensure that the proper things are done

Loan Proposal

I need a loan to build more ponds and more fish cages. Due to overwhelming demand for fish, the amount required for effective running of the project which will enable it make good returns is five thousand dollars ($5,000). This amount will be used to construct more ponds and produce more cages, pay for fingerlings and feed. Salary and wages will also be paid from the amount. This will enable the
company to operate about 20 ponds and 50 to 80 cages.
PROJECT BUDGET
Personnel services 700$
Equipment 2,260$
Expendable Equipment 380$
Non – Expendable Equipment 480$
Materials and supplies 980$
General Operating Expenses 100$
Support Costs 100$
Grand Total 5,000$

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