Expansion of my tree nursary

Kevin

Asembo Bay Siaya, Kenya

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Kevin

Member since

August 2015

On-time repayments

155 installments  •  9%

About Me

Kevin was born and raised in Ulafu village in Siaya county, Kenya. Growing under the care of grandmother after the separation of the parents, I got to learn and associate with basic Luo culture and farming as the main source of our food. I went to a rural primary school, Nina before passing my exams to proceed to O-levels only to drop out of school due to sickness and death of my grandmother who was the pillar in my schooling in terms of school fee and basic school needs. My hopes of going back to school were over as my mother was struggling in the city to have a life. I presented my academic report to some of the relatives who were impressed with my performances. They teamed together to support my mother pay my school fee which enable me resume my studied after one year of being home. From this I managed to proceed to public university as a regular student. I did study Agriculture Economics at Egerton University.
I later studied sustainable agriculture which enable me reconcile with nature. This enable me to come to the reality of climatic change and working towards conservation. From this I started a small tree nursery for my own consumption. This was to try and rehabilitate the environment through tree planting. People later started asking if I could sell to them the tree seedlings and it’s from this that I realized a business opportunity. It was not long before I was through out of the land with claims I did not belong there and had no right to inherit land from my grandmother’s place. I secured job with a community based organization from which I saved to buy quarter of an acre land. From here I re-established the tree nursery in a small scale but with bigger aims.
My free times are spent in observing natural patterns in nature and reading explorative novels. I play basketball occasionally and help mentor young people in the village to enable them focus in their dreams. My dream is to make it in life no matter what challenges comes my way.

My Business

The tree nursery if offering tree seedlings at different stages. Most of the seedlings are agro-forestry trees graveilla species dominating the production. The production plans is expand to animal fodder including bees. With the current climatic changes and erratic rainfalls leading to poor crop productions has seen people diversifying to agro-forestry. Campaigns by NGOs and Governments has also seen the tree planting culture on the rise. These has led to high demand of planting materials in the area of residence. The seedlings are sourced from far and this increases their cost to the people in need of them. Tapping this opportunity to its full potential will lead to a fat returns.
The choice of this particular business runs from my childhood background, education and village life and farming experience. The major recurrent costs in this business is seeds, potting bags, manure and water during dry spells. With expansion plans in mind, rain water harvesting and on-farm manure production are top in the list. Seed banking is planned for future sustainability and diversification. Main source of revenue is from sale of seedlings. This will expand to timber and fodder production in near future. The proceeds from the nursery goes to support of expansion plans and education of my siblings.

Loan Proposal

The loan will enable to acquire additional varieties of seeds for my tree nursery. this will enable me diversify in the tree seedling available income for a better income. Am currently producing graveilla as the main seedling product though there is demand for other seedlings like shade trees, fruit trees and flowers. my aim is to tap into this lucrative market of fruit and shade tree seedlings. i plan to purchase a water tank from my saving which will enable me harvest rain water to meet water demand for this expansion to new varieties. The planned seed purchase will cost $250.

Feedback

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$200.00

Date disbursed

Oct 12, 2015

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

3 months

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Ask Kevin a question about this project, share news and photos of your own, or send a simple note of thanks or inspiration.

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  • Kevin    Nov 16, 2018

    i want to take this opportunity to thank all those who funded my loan for their patience with me as i worked to repay my loan

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  • Kevin    Nov 8, 2018

    I have defaulted in repayment and would like to clear my loan in a single instalment

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  • Kevin    Nov 8, 2018

    I have defaulted in repayment and would like to clear my loan in a single instalment

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  • Kevin    Feb 17, 2016

    Received the full amount

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  • Kevin    Feb 12, 2016

    Great.... thanks a lot for making this happen. thank for your trust. This Loan will help me to try and make my production continuous as i also engage an assistant though short term to give much attention to the project. You are already changing lots of things.

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  • Kevin    Feb 5, 2016

    would like to thank the zidisha and the lending team for their assistance. I have completed my loan repayment and would like to apply for an additional loan on the same project to expand and complete some pending project. I was able to expand the the production of tree seedlings and expect a good sale come March/April during the long rains. The next loan will facilitate production for the August- September short rains. through this I will be able to instil continuity in my business.
    Unfortunately I have not been able to update on photos since the site keep telling that the photo format are not supported. Before the site accepts the photos, anyone interested to see the photos please contact me on [email protected].

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  • Kennedy    Jan 31, 2016

    Kevin, following my calls to you earlier today, kindly re-adjust your loan repayments and ensure you pay weekly.

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  • Kevin    Jan 27, 2016

    this is how its happening

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  • Kevin    Jan 27, 2016

    I have been unable to pay the last three installments due to some family hardship and would like to clear my loan before fifth of February in one installment of 4,399 covering the three months.

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  • Kevin    Nov 26, 2015

    Sorry , i have been trying to post photos, but the response has been FORMAT NOT SUPPORTED BY THE SYSTEM. please help me post the beautiful photos of my project

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  • Kevin    Nov 10, 2015

    here

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  • Kevin    Nov 6, 2015

    i also hired two women to assist in the potting for the expantion

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  • Kevin    Nov 6, 2015

    From the loan i received i was able to purchase 5000 potting bags for raising seedlings. i also purchased/bought seeds (Gravillae 1/2kg, Casuarina 1/4kg and Cypress 1/4kg)

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  • Kevin    Nov 6, 2015

    the Loan i received have enable me to purchase seeds and potting bugs. I bought 5000 potting bags, and three varieties of seeds ( cypress=1/4kg, Graveilla 1/2kg and Casuarina 1/4kgs

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  • Kevin    Oct 13, 2015

    Amazing! thank you all for your contribution to my loan. I acknowledge receipt of the contribution and will keep you up to date on expenditure and progress of the project.

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  • Kevin    Oct 11, 2015

    Thank you all for contributing to my first loan successfully. the success of this project if your success too. be blessed

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  • Kevin    Oct 10, 2015

    Just want to thank all that have contributed to my loan up to this point. be blessed.

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