Turkey farming

Entrepreneur

About Me

I am now working in Kakamega . This experience has given me a creative edge. It is with this job that I have been able to get my brother to University. Seeing my mother farm and take me through to college made me respect farming as a job and I intend to do the same given some seed funding. I have since developed keen interest in Agribusiness.

My Business

I intend to embark on watermelon farming.The reason why I decided to embark on watermelon farming is that the returns are high and the planting period is 100days maximum.I have identified the hybrid seeds that I intend to plant;sugarbaby that is being sold by Simlaw seeds.I have also secured a piece of land inlanting it in Kakamega I am targeting Kisumu and Eldoret markets since it is not so far away.I am already establishing contacts with hotels in Kakamega in order to supply.

This is how intend to go about with Watermelon farming.

Type of seed:Watermelon sweet rose
This is a vigorous medium to early hybrid (90-100 days) with good adaptability. Fruits are oval to oblong in shape, each weighing 10 -12 Kg. Rind is light green with dark green stripes. Flesh is deep crimson red with good texture and sweetness (TSS 12-13 %). Good transport and keeping qualities are other major attributes of this popular hybrid.
Basic requirement
Watermelon grow best under hot temperature ,they do well at temperature of between 22°c and 28°c(stagnation of growth occur at temperature less than 15°c).Hence Machakos as area of choice.
Rainfall-watermelon production is suited in low to medium rainfall areas (where there is inadequate rainfall irrigation may be done)
Soil-watermelons grow best on sandy loam soil which are well drained and slightly acid ,watermelon has efficient root system and when planted on heavy soil (waterlogged )the plant develops slowly and fruit size and quality is always inferior. Fine sand produce the highest quality melon when adequate fertilizer and water is provided

Requirements

Fertilizer
1. Diammonium Phosphate (D.A.P 18-46-0)-During planting I intend to use D.A.P fertilizer at the rate of 50kgs per acre, D.A.P fertilizer improves plant resistance to stress such as drought and frost and certain diseases, its best used during planting and it will help in root development and therefore the success rate is high.However I will also use organic matter.

2. N: P: K- (17:17:17)-This is high efficient complex mineral fertilizer and it will provide the extra nutrition to the watermelon.3 weeks after application of D.A.P I will apply N.P.K 17:17:17, mix the fertilizer nicely with the soil by tilling
3. C.A.N:26%N (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate)-This is popular straight nitrogen and excellent source of nitrogen, this will be applied 2 weeks after application of N.P.K (17:17:17
4.) Urea-urea contains an abundance of nitrogen which will favor the plant and the stem growth. It will be applied to the soil as foliar spray.
Weed Management –We definitely intend to do weeding regularly to keep the field clean
Foliar application-Here I will give inorganic manure to the crop through their leaves
Expected yield =15000 Fruits per acre
Seed rate-750 grams per acres to plant two seeds per hole
-350grms per acres to plant one seed per hole


Projected cost and revenue for an acre
Seeds 500gms = 15,585
D.A.P 50kg =3000

Loan Proposal

With the Ksh 12733 loan I will be able to buy 3turkeys at Ksh 2000.I already have a supplier for year old turkeys.I have identified a market that is in need of 45kg of turkey meat every week.
Below are the projected revenues as well as costs.

Costs
Cost of buying 3turkeys @Ksh 2000-Ksh 6000
Slaughter and transport costs-Ksh 6000
Total cost=Ksh 12000

Revenue
1Turkey has 15kg-3turkeys will have a total of 45kg
I intend to sell the meat at Ksh 600 per kilo.
45kg*Ksh 600=Ksh 27000

Profit=27000-12000=Ksh 15000

Payable zidisha loan-Ksh 16552.9

This will enable me to pay back the loan with interest at a go.

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