Expand vegetable farmland and buy farming inputs
Hillary Ongute
Nairobi, Kenya
100% repaid
Entrepreneur
Name
Hillary Ongute
Member since
May 2014
On-time repayments
327 installments • 76%
About Me
I was born in Kenya in a family of nine. I was educated by my parents through struggle with my father being a teacher and my dad a housewife. I must admit that I was a very industrious boy going by the remarks of my teachers. We depended on the small income from my dad who later passed on because of high blood pressure. Since then my mother relies on daily farming with one dairy cattle that produces milk to the entire family. In my home area people are employed and also practice subsistence farming. The area is semi-urban with a lot of business activities. However, it is a challenge to start a business that requires physical premises like a shop. Insecurity has seen many business people robbed off at night. I have personally experienced the insecurity issue when my elder brothers shop was raided one night and he incurred huge losses. From this experience I resolved never to be involved in such a business. This is one of the reasons that drove me into freelance business when I got some capital. Without waiting time let me slightly explain my journey in business. Life was very difficult after graduating from University in 2007. I had to find something to do in order to survive in town. I ended up starting freelance writing and a sales business to supplement my income. My main source of income comes from freelance writing. However, my health business is still growing and I expect to make new customers and increase my profits. In my free time I love swimming and networking with people some of whom have become very good customers who keep coming for my products. From my family, majority of my siblings are not interested in business and that is why they are all my customers and thy also introduce me to their friends.
My Business
For over three years, I have been involved in freelance writing and the going has been tough. Some of the income that I gained from freelance writing has been invested in agribusiness. I have an interest in horticultural farming because it has the potential of more agricultural production in the course of the year. In Kenya there is a huge demand for fruits and vegetables because a considerable urban population is informed about the benefits of nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables. I ventured into horticultural farming after gaining good knowledge from Kenya Agricultural research Institute where I was doing my attachment. I therefore I believe that im in a better position to produce some crops like Melons, tomatoes and potatoes using modern horticultural technologies. I also have interest in producing onions because there is ready market and the crop can be managed easily. My business is profitable because the market for the products is ready and I can minimize the costs of production.My horticultural products are preferred in the market because they are fresh and I use less chemicals during production. The risks that my agribusiness faces include pests and diseases, poor weather and theft of produce. However, I will put in place measures to address some of the challenges. For a one hectare piece of land that I have secured, the cost of production will be $500. From the sales of the produce I will be able to make $900. This will enable me to repay my loan and even invest more in horticultural production.Im considering purchasing agro nets that can be used in the management of pests that cause havoc in horticultural crops. I will be able to repay my loan because I also do freelance writing an im able to get some income that can repay the loan as I wait for my produce.
Loan Proposal
With the loan, I will be able to hire more land and increase the area under vegetables. I will be harvesting weekly selling the vegetables and also earn from the sale of the seeds when some of the vegetables mature.
Feedback
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$444.00
Date disbursed
Feb 9, 2019
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
24 months
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