My own Avocado Farm

Hello!

I am Patrick Thomas Mhema, 30 years old, a Tanzanian male and holder of diploma of community development. I am a young man who went through many challenges in his life, just because my family was not able to give me what I needed so that I could go… and meet my dreams. My parents are small scale farmers living in the village. They were able to pay for school until I finished my ordinary secondary school but could not afford to pay for further education. Good luck, I got a friend who was able to push me forward, David. He supported me to finish advanced level, then I had to work and with other people`s contributions I could get my Diploma. More Thanks to them!

Although constrains are still on my way, I want to reach my dreams. I have been working as a volunteer at several local NGOs without being paid. But what I got was experience, knowledge and skills. In May 2017, I got a job at the local NGO I am still working for now.

For years, I have wanted to establish my Avocado farm where I can be employed by myself and generate my income. At the moment, my monthly salary is just enough to ensure my survival (accommodation and food). My parents are getting older, so they will need help from me soon. Also, I will have a family that will need support too! The worst thing is that I am struggling to get a better-paid job in a time when a big part of our country`s youth is starving from lack of employment opportunities.

I plan to have an Avocado farm with 400 trees. Because each tree costs 1.5 US $, 600 US $ are needed for all of them. Furthermore, I require money for operational costs such as:

• Cultivating the farm: 25 x 1 Acre (70x70m) = 100 US $
• Digging Holes: 0.4 x 1 hole = 160 US $
• Manure: 45 x 1 ton = 85 US $
• Water Pipe for Irrigation: 300 m = 190 US $
• Transport for seedlings and the other things: 90 US $
• Technical Expenses: 100 US $

I expect to get enough money from avocados. Each tree normally produces about 200 fruits per year therefore I will get 80,000 fruits of 400 trees. This number will increase by the time as the trees will grow every year. One kilogram of avocados includes 3 to 4 fruits. With each kilo, I will earn 0.6 US $ - considering the expected outcome of 20,000 kilos, I will earn 12,000 US $ in total per year. Moreover, the farm will contribute to climate change adoption and mitigation - it is global challenge which we are facing too!

I expect to start my project on March 2018 as I already have a piece of land that my parents gave me. For avocados, I will have to wait 3 years before the trees start to harvest fruits.

Thank you all who are interested to raise up those who are poor and all who want to help climate change mitigation. Thank you!