Open-field tomato project

Joseph

Nairobi, Kenya

Funds disbursed

$0 to go

100% funded of $82 goal

0

days left

Entrepreneur

Name

Joseph

Member since

January 2021

On-time repayments

3 installments  •  33%

About Me

FULL NAME: Ombega, Joseph Mokembo
OCCUPATION: Police Officer/Farmer
ULTIMATE GOAL: In my work, at my home, in my walk, and in my talk, to attain the Approval of the Almighty God. And to give a remarkable contribution to the alleviation of human suffering.
MY PHILOSOPHY: There's an astounding achievement that will never be made unless you make it; There's a noble discovery that will never be made unless you make it; and there's a problem that will never find a solution unless you find it. Some victories will never be won unless you win, and so there's a crown of glory that will never be worn unless you wear it. For in His Infinite Wisdom, the Almighty God has created us all with a specific purpose, we are all made wilfully.
PERSONAL TAGLINE: Ostensibly Determined

I am a 29 year old man, working as a civil servant in Kenya. I also run a small agribusiness project. I hail from Nyamira county, where I developed a very deep interest in farming after learning from my parents who also did farming as their part-time activity.

My Business

I have been doing greenhouse tomato farming for some quite some time. Last year I decided to do open field tomato farming and I have done one season so far, and I am now set out with the second one. From the experience I garnered last season, I found it necessary to include vegetables; kales, chards, etc in my farming 'cause a good number of customers would prefer to get all their green produce under one roof.

According to my dream, I would like to grow my agribusiness into a full-fledged PLC, dealing with production and sale of farm produce, serving the local and international markets.

Banking on the Zidisha loan that I received last month, I was able to acquire seeds, fertilizers and some chemicals. I am currently raising my seedlings in the nursery beds, and are due for transplanting starting 10th this month. I already have acquired some of the inputs required for transplanting the seedlings. What I have not yet got is the means of acquiring the remaining inputs as well as supporting the plants in the field once transplanted.

My wish is to get enough money to pay for/buy the following things:
- Petrol for pumping water for irrigation 20L @ 105 - 2100/=
- Engine Oil 1L @ 400/=
- Irrigation Pipe hire 400/= per week for 2 months - 3200/=
- Farm Assistant monthly salary 9000/=
- Miscellaneous costs/errands - 4300/=
TOTAL - 19000/=

Loan Proposal

Granted the loan request, I'd pay my farm assistant, buy petrol for pumping irrigation water, pay for irrigation pipes hire and farm errands

Income Source

Agriculture is the least affected industry by the current Covid-19 menace. However in case of the unseen event of such economic misfortunes, I am expecting some amount of cash from debtor(s) who pay me in regular installments, and also my regular monthly pay.

Feedback

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$82.00

Date disbursed

Feb 2, 2021

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

2 weeks

Other loans

Lenders

CN

Craig Newmark

United States

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  • Joseph    Feb 9, 2021

    Hello Zidisha Group, I have not been able to access the internet in the last few days, that's why I took long to get back to you concerning the loan I received.

    First, I want to thank you in a very special way for having seen into it that I am afforded with that loan facility. Banking on your continued support, running my agribusiness has to a remarkable extent been a smooth undertaking.

    I'm grateful I was able to pay my worker with the little amount that I received from you.

    Thank you and God bless you.

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  • Joseph    Feb 1, 2021

    Special thanks to the Craig Network US. God bless you for your continued support.

    I will use the granted loan to buy petrol and engine oil for pumping irrigation and water and also pay my farm assistant.

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    I sowed the tomato seeds 2 days ago and God willing I shall be transplanting the seedlings as from 10th February. Meanwhile, I am working on a plan to acquire my own irrigation equipment worth 13,500 KES. What I have so far is a gasoline water pump and what I presently need is (1) A delivery pipe 2"x100m @ 8500 KES, and (2) irrigation pipes 6m x 10pcs @ 500 - 5000 KES. I have in the past hired the same, but there's a great sense in which my garden would have been more productive if I found a means of acquiring my own irrigation equipment (pipes) because for instance, in the last season, my field of tomatoes, which ought to be watered every week were starved for 2 weeks because no irrigation equipment was readily available for hire. Understanding that such inconveniences always lead to losses, I tried hard and acquired a water pump. Given God's blessing, I would like to acquire irrigation pipes before I transplant my seedlings.

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    Please note that the 4790 KES loan that I received wasn't enough to cover all these listed items. I had to top it with some little amount that I got from other sources in that I was able to buy the listed items.

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    Here is a link to a website that has more information about one of the two varieties of tomato seeds that I bought. www.simlaw.co.ke/product-de...

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    The digital pocket size weighing machine for accurate measuring of farm chemicals.

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    Optimizer. This is a bio-fertilizer that is fed to the plants thro' foliage. Its also used to break seed dormancy and to promote the rate of seed germination.

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    Goldazim Fungicide

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    The Zytonic M organic fertilizer that I bought for use in transplanting my crops.
    It is far much efficient, economic and productive as compared to the regular basal fertilizers. In this case, I am going to use 2kg of Zytonic M organic fertilizer worth 1850 KES to grow a whole acre of tomatoes whereas if I'd use the ordinary fertilizers, let's say DAP, I'd have to buy a 50kg bag at 3300 KES.

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    My farm assistant Mr. David preparing the nursery beds

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  • Joseph    Jan 21, 2021

    My farm field, ready for transplanting once the seedlings are mature

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  • Joseph    Jan 20, 2021

    I received my loan yesterday. I am very grateful, and may God bless Zidisha group, and more specially the noble individual(s) who volunteered to be my lender(s) and mentor(s).

    With the 4,790 KES that I received, I topped it with some little amount that I had gotten from other sources and bought a 2 kg pack of organic fertilizer @ 1850 KES (which can cover an area of 2.4 acres/1 hectare in a single application, and is very efficient and economical as compared to conventional basal fertilizers), a digital pocket size weighing machine for measuring farm chemical doses @ 800 KES, Goldazim Fungicide 100ml @ 250 KES, Crown F1 Tomato Seeds 10g @ 4200 KES, Rio Grande Tomato Seeds 10g @ 250, and Optimizer 100ml @ 300 KES.

    Thank you Zidisha Group

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  • Joseph    Jan 15, 2021

    Hello Mr. Paul,
    I am very grateful for your offer. Though I haven't yet surmounted my goal, I am a step closer to it than I could be without your assistance. I really appreciate it.

    I'm set to buy Hybrid Tomato seeds and fertilizers.

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