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Loan to facilitate cultivation of potatoes

John DoeJ
EntrepreneurMarkLocationEldoret, Kenya
Project status
100%funded
$73raised
100%paid forward

I am Mark Joshua a thorough,ambitious and a Christian always aspiring to be the best in whatever I do.I was born and raised in Kericho and later relocated to Eldoret to start agribusiness.I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Biotechnology.

Due to increasing life's demands,I had to seek an alternative way how I would overcome life hardships in order to provide for my personal needs and also those of my siblings and my own family.I acquired little capital from friends and families and went to Eldoret where I decided to do potato farming.

My child(a girl aged 9) woyld love to be a neurosurgeon when she grows up.

My hobby is playing football and also reading about new potato farming techniques and trends in the market(supply and demand)

My business is agribusiness where I undertake potato farming.These goods are in huge demand based on the fact that there are Motels, Hotels, Restaurants and Universities in the area which are the greatest consumers of my produce. I chose this type of business because of the large market potential in the area.

I currently have 5 acres of land under potatoes from which I have started harvesting 2 acres and the rest will be harvested at the e'd of this month. I have delivered the potatoes to two motels and payments are going to be made this coming week.

My typical costs per acre include the following:

I) Land hire, 80 dollars per acre (per year)

ii) Fertilizer 4 (50kg) bags per acre 600 dollars

iii) Land preparation , 200 dollars

iv) Weeding and related activities, 100 dollars

v) Transport of farm inputs ,40 dollars

v) Potato seeds per acre (50kg bag) ,400 dollars

My revenues per acre have been averaging 800 dollars.I have been using the profits for payments of my child's school fees,land hire fee, currently building my own house,paying fees for my brothers and sisters and also reinvesting back into my agribusiness.

My land is now prepared and ready for planting. Thanks to the earlier loan I received from zidisha. I am therefore goingato this loan for labour in planting. This will enable me have more potatoes for my huge demand and thus satisfying more customers. This will increase my profits by 12%.