Poultry project

Njuguna

Muriricua Village, Kenya

Expired

$0 to go

100% funded of $1,038 goal

days left

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How it Works

Entrepreneur

Name

Njuguna

Member since

December 2012

On-time repayments

157 installments • 100%

About Me

I live in Kiptangwany, Elementaita sub-location, Miti mingi location, Elementaita division of Gilgil district in Nakuru county. My family and I shifted to this area from Kiambu in 1990. We have five children aged between 31 and 39 years. We have all gone beyond high school and we are computer literate. I took up farming as an income generating activity. We grow crops and rear livestock. The income realized caters for domestic expenditure and school fees. The income mainly comes from surplus crop produce and surplus milk.The area is semi arid and rainfall reliability is low. Hence,food production is marginal. The only viable farming is livestock breeding and rearing. Greenhouse farming is now the in thing, though it requires a substantial amount as initial capital. I usually sell my livestock to other farmers and local butchers.I invest any surplus cash in stocks for a rainy day after ploughing back some money in the farm and livestock. I belong to a dairy farmers group where we meet and educate one another on livestock management. We normally invite guest speakers to talk to us on technical issues

My Business

I buy young cattle and rear them until they are old enough to be sold to butchers and other farmers. There is demand for meat and butchers are always looking for animals to slaughter. My animals are well fattened before they are sold and butchers are always ready to settle for a price favorable to each of us.The heifers I put up for sale are attractive and appealing to farmers.
I want to diversify to commercial milk production and therefore I intend to buy good milk producing breeds.In this are, unlike in the past, milk has a ready market. Brookside dairies are collecting milk from our area. Before this a lot of milk was going to waste due to lack of market. I am sure I can sell all the milk produced.
I intend to put up a zero-grazing unit so as to manage the animals properly. I also intend to build a bio-gas digester to produce fuel for the family and cut down on costs. I will then re-invest the money I get to expand on livestock rearing and breeding. This will necessitate employment of more farm hands. I also intend to grow grass four hay to feed my animals and sell the surplus to other farmers.

Loan Proposal

I intend to start a poultry project and start off with 500 day old improved kienyeji chicks. I have constructed a poultry house that can accomodate the said chicks. The loan will be used to buy the chicks, feeds and drugs. Once the hens start laying, the project will be self sustaining.

Feedback

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Amount requested

$1,038.00

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Njuguna Feb 26, 2019

I would like to inform my lenders that today, 26th Feb., I received the final payment of my loan.I received

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Njuguna Feb 15, 2019

I wish to most sincerely thank all my lenders for fully funding my loan. The loan will help me start off my poultry project despite the shortfall caused by the credit risk payment.

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Njuguna Jan 11, 2019

The greenhouse project as well as the cattle projects are self-sustaining and are giving us an income that helps me to meet my family's needs. My heart-felt gratitude goes to all those who funded my previous loans. I have never let you down since I always repay my loans on time.

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Njuguna Feb 12, 2018

Dear Lenders,

I wish to thank you most sincerely for funding my loan fully (Ksh.95783). I will now be able to replace the polythene roof of my greenhouse, erect proper crop support and buy strawberry seedlings.
Regards,
Waithaka

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Njuguna Jan 27, 2018

I wish to sincerely thank all my lenders from the bottom of my heart. I will now be able to change the polythene covering the roof of my greenhouse, fit strong crop support and buy strawberry seedlings.

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J Jan 25, 2018

I saw your message on the forum. It’s already funded 56% with 7 days to go.

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Njuguna Jan 19, 2018

My last loan really assisted me in my farming enterprise. I was able to dig a water pan and line it with a dam liner to collect water for use in my greenhouse.
I grew tomatoes which gave me a regular income that helped me see my daughter through university. The income also helped me meet day to day domestic expenses.
Long live Zidisha, long live the lenders. Thank you, thank you,thank you.

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Njuguna Jul 25, 2014

Am enjoying the fruits of the second loan advanced to me. I dug a water pan and lined it with a dam liner. It collects water from the greenhouse which is then used to water the tomato crop in the greenhouse. The tomatoes have started to ripen and I will soon start marketing them.
The zero-grazing unit is doing well thanks to the first loan. I will be forever grateful to my funders.

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Njuguna Jan 21, 2014

I wish to most sincerely thank all those who posted their bids towards my loan. I am delighted to see the speed at which my loan was financed. I promise to keep you all updated on my progress and success. Watch this space.

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Njuguna Nov 12, 2013

Kindly update my repayment record as well as my credit limit. After checking I found that the loan repayment I made on 9/11/13 is not yet reflected in my account. Likewise, the comments posted have not been taken into account so as to raise my credit limit.

Regards
N. W

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- D
  diza2722 Nov 15, 2013
  
  Zidisha staff may not see your message here, so if you haven't done so already, I would suggest that you email them directly ([email protected]) to ensure you receive a response.
  
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Njuguna Nov 12, 2013

Thank you diza2722 for your interest in my updates and activities. It is humbling to know that someone out there is wishing you all the best. Watch this space. More interesting updates will be forthcoming. I feel excited with every bit of information am getting on horticulture in greenhouses. This venture will enable me to diversify my activities and avoid having all my eggs in one basket. As I write, my cows are doing fine despite the setback I suffered as a result of the death of my cows.

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D
diza2722 Nov 12, 2013

I am not one of your lenders, but I have been reading your updates and it has been interesting learning about the farming business through your comments. I wish you luck with your horticulture plans.

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Njuguna Nov 10, 2013

I am intending to venture into horticulture. I am exploring ways and means of cultivating crops like tomatoes, pepper, strawberries etc. I am doing a feasibility study on greenhouse management as a viable agribusiness undertaking. Am talking to farmers who are already in the business as well as the people with the expertise in greenhouse construction

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Njuguna Nov 10, 2013

I am waiting and longing to have a new calf around January 2014. Two other cows have been served. This was a month ago. Their expected delivery date is sometime in July 2014. Am raising a young bullock with an intention of fattening him and later sell him to an eligible butcher. The supply of dung for the biogas digester is sufficient and constant. The slurry produced is very useful in the kitchen garden. It is also improving the nutritional value of the napier grass used to feed the cows.

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Njuguna Oct 7, 2013

It is unfortunate that the heifer that was recently served passed on even after all efforts to have her treated against ECF. She died a day after treatment. She could not wait for a second dose. This was the second day after signs indicated that she was dull and a doctor called in to see her. What a drawback! Am still pressing on until my vision is realized

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Njuguna Sep 13, 2013

After disposing of the cow with the broken leg, I have managed to buy two heifers. They are of an improved breed from which, God willing, I will manage to get pedigrees much quickly. One of them was served a week ago and am waiting to confirm its pregnancy. I intend to stagger having them served to ensure continued supply of milk in future. Am still shopping for a milk producing cow so that I may sell the old cow that is a poor milk producer.

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Njuguna Sep 13, 2013

I have been trying in vain to repay my loan since 8/9/13. I get the response that MPESA cannot pay, that the transaction has failed. I forwarded those messages to the zidisha team on mobile phone number 0701246957 so that they may sort out the problem there may be with the service provider, Safaricom. So far, the team has not responded. I wouldn't want it to appear as if I have not honored my commitment to repay my loan when it is due .Please, sort out the problem there may be so that I may do the necessary. I wonder if other people have encountered the same problem. Kindly let me know what to do next.

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eagle3 Jul 15, 2013

I was not worried about your 4 days. In my book, you are a winner and I appreciate your efforts. Please don't misunderstand my lack of comments. I am following your progress with great interest, but don't always comment.
Keep up the good work.

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- Njuguna Jul 23, 2013
  
  Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I was concerned about your lack of comments but now am assured that you are following my activities. I am happy to know that someone out there is taking keen interest on my endeavors and appreciates what am doing. The fact is, am happy doing what am doing and I will press on till I achieve my vision. With friends like you I know I will.
  
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Njuguna Jul 14, 2013

Am so sorry for having missed my loan repayment date by four days. This was not by design but due to circumstances way beyond my control. I was away in a place without network coverage. How I felt cut off from civilization. Am now back and the first thing I did was to send my loan repayment. I had wowed to myself to always make timely repayments. I will make sure that I do this with the remaining installments, Lord willing.
Eagle3 and doflynn, please say something to me. I promised to keep you updated on my progress. haven't I ?

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- doflynn Jul 14, 2013
  
  Hi Njuguna,
  
  Thank you for your regular updates. I've been very interested to follow your progress with your zero-grazing unit and the collection of bio-gas. I completely understand that occasionally you may not be able to make repayments on time, so please do not worry about that. It certainly won't affect my decision to support any loan applications that you make in future, as it's obvious that you have a good business plan and you are committed to the welfare of your animals. I look forward to reading news about your new cows (early next year?)
  
  Best wishes,
  doflynn
  
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  - Njuguna Jul 23, 2013
    
    Thank you so much for our reassurance and encouragement. I was worried by your lack of comments since your last comment but now am completely assured that you are following my activities keenly and you are well informed of what is going on in my project. I will continually keep you updated.
    
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  - Njuguna Aug 13, 2013
    
    Thank you for your encouraging words, doflynn. The bio-gas project is doing well. It has proven that I made a wise decision. It is a cost cutting venture. It is unfortunate that I had to dispose one of the new cows due to a broken front leg bone after she was attacked by another cow. Am now looking for a replacement and I hope I will get one at a bargain. Wish me luck.
    
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Njuguna Jun 30, 2013

The biogas project is doing well. The only hitch is the supply of dung to replenish the supply of gas. Collection of dung has to be suspended for two days after spraying the cows against ticks. However, we source dung from our neighbours but first we have to ensure that two days have passed after the last spraying. This is not a challenge since our neighbours are quite cooperative.

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