My name is Hellen Okello from Homabay county, Rachuonyo , kenya. I grew up in the lake region doing rice farming and after marriage I relocated to another teritory within the lake regions. Here, I have practice farming for over 30 years and still perfecting it.

In all the season the season i have been specializing in traditional crops that do well locally such as sweet potatoes, maize and beans.

Later last year I was introduced to organic papaya farming by my group known as Ukulima Bora. As group members we were trained on how to grow commercial papaya using organic method. In our group we also did a pilot project on a 1/8 ha piece of land. We did all that is required for papaya to thrive.

Later, after a successful pilot project, I managed to start my own organic papaya farming on a 1/4 piece of land near my homestead. The project is picking up well and the papaya are showing sign of good health.

With the development, am looking forward to expanding my organic papaya farm to 2 acres. This will create more jobs for youths, business women will have something to sustain them and all the business chains involved.

The use of chemical fertilizer has done bad on our soil in the region . I'm happy about this idea of using organic manure since it is the best for the soil and our health.

Currently am engaged in the cultivation of sweet potatoes, maize and beans. It seems like they don't perform well anymore. For instance in the previous season I managed to harvest 7 sacks in a 2 acres plantation. This is not sustainable anymore and the cost keeps on going to the roof.

I have decided to go organic papaya because I will be able to get something meaningful from the farm.

From the pilot project we did I have identified papaya farming as a more profitable alternative to traditional farming in my area - Homabay. The following are reason why me and my Ukulima Bora group members wants to practice organic papaya farming;

1; Declining maize yield( 7 sacks per 2 acre)

2; Higher demand for organic papayas.

3; Better returns from papaya farming.

4; More sustainable farming model.

Expansion plan

I plan to use the requsted funds to

1. Expand papaya farming to 2 acre

2. Use modern techniques practice for more production

3. Use proper irrigation systems

4. Purchase quality seedling from Stawi Seeds ltd

Budget breakdown

Total funds needed $1500

This will help in:

-Land preparation- Holes, drenches, weed control

-Irrigation system set-up

-papaya seedlings

- Farm inputs- organic manure- goat manure

- labor cost

- Transportation

Expected returns

Based on the current market price

papaya yield per acre- $40(per tree per year)x1000= $4000

expected market price per kg- $5

Anticipated return on investment = $28000 or 187%

My farming project vision

Short term- Start a 2 acre organic papaya farming

Medium term- Develop reliable market channels within my reach in the local markets such as Nyamasaria, Kibuye and many more.

Long term- export papaya to oversees markets.

My request to lenders

I am seeking financial support to facilitate pure organic agricultural transition and expansions that go well with current climate change. If I receive the funds I will modernize my farming operations and increase productivity. With your support , I will be able to transform my traditional farming practice into a more profitable and sustainable enterprise. I look forward to higher more youths, improve my living standards and help my community members when need arise. Thank you all for your time.

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Thank you for the opportunity, my name is Hellen and I practice organic farming. I requested some funds to help me expand my organic papaya farm. There is a farm lying idle nearby and I want to lease it for the expansion project. In addition, it's rainy season and this is the best time to get new quality seedlings for the expansion.

Furthermore, getting well composted goat manure is a challenge in my area and I need at least one pick-truck to boost my papaya trees and for the new seedlings transplant later. I normally source manure from our neighboring town and that requires some good

funds. Expansion will help me by increasing my yield, generate more income for my family, and improve my family living standards. Again, with production increasing I'll be able to more local jobs for planting, weeding, harvesting and many more.

My community on the other hand will not need to travel far because they will have readily available affordable organic produce within reach. In addition to that I will be happy to serve them better nutrition.

I'm glad that My project is already serving as a model of sustainable agriculture in my community. It encourages eco-friendly activity such as using pure organic manure. I believe when I continue to expand I'm boosting my local economy because trade also increases in the process. As I expand I will need to add more workers therefore increasing more employment opportunities for the locals.