Small-scale farmers are desperate to improve their yields and we have a plan to help them succeed.
But they are going to need your help.
This is not about improving the lives of a few families –
it’s about taking control of Zambia’s food security!
Have you met our customer before?
4 things you should know about small-scale farmers in Zambia:
1
They LOVE farming!
When we run a workshop, they queue for hours to attend. They genuinely care and are happy for each other because they know, the success of someone like them means they could be the next to succeed.
2
They are not afraid of challenges
Farming without access to resources just adds to the number of challenges outside of their control and yet they front up every season!
3
They respond to our suggestions.
They respond to our prodcuts and suggestions. They are actively involved in shaping the market, and products to help them succeed.
4
They want to learn and improve
If they can improve their yields and profitability, they are keen to find out how.
Is it sustainable and scalable?
How is this customer going to be transformed by your support of this project?
The Farm Depot model is working for emerging farmers and we are operating at 30% of what we COULD be doing! We are profitable and sustainable BECAUSE we are supporting more and more emerging farmers who themselves are becoming PROFITABLE and SUSTAINABLE.
But we are only in the Copperbelt, North Western Zambia and Luapula. There is so much more out there! What if we could remove our customer’s 2 biggest obstacles?
What if we can finance their farming and equip them with the knowledge to do it right? Currently, our customers are paying for their growth with their profit – we are losing the chance to secure Zambia’s food-stocks because of a lack of short term loans and education.
But these can easily be fixed.
The Commercial Case
What is the practical issue we need to overcome?
1
Our database of 35’000 customers through 20 stores might mean we are profitable BUT our impact is so LIMITED!
2
We are limited geographically AND by the fact that all our customers are having to use cash or profit to expand their operations.
3
Why cant we finance and insure their crops or livestock and support them with knowledge through our subscription based extension services to educate them?
4
The power of our data and how it will transform access to finance for our customers – with 40 stores and 80,000 potential customers we could tie in finance, insurance, knowledge, off take agreements and a whole range of other input supplies. This is how we can secure Zambia’s food production!
What are the social impacts?
How will communities benefit from this?
Imagine if a farmer doesn’t have to use his profit’s from his previous crop to start the next one? He can diversify his farming operations meaning a wider range of food production for Zambia. He can employ more people from their community.
We will focus on educating – more extension officers will be employed as our technical support services expand.
Is there a greener economy in this?
Absolutely! By improving finance and knowledge, we can structure the
products, bundles and education to be more environmentally friendly.
Examples include:
1
Finance for your maize crop if you use a no slash and burn approach. Only organic fertilizers and pesticides are included in the finance options.
2
All payments done through mobile money to limit the number of store visits.
3
Training and workshops to show how greener approaches like notill can increase profit.
4
Carbon neutral management practices can be compulsory for poultry loans.
In summary - what would this project achieve?
Nothing short of securing Zambia’s food supplies!
For too long, a lack of finance and knowledge has seen the impoverished Zambian farmer stay locked in a cycle of poor financial, agricultural and ecological choices. A self fulfilling prophecy of loss.
But we have seen what happens when these same farmers get access to knowledge and good financial choices. They succeed and grow!
This project would turn the emerging farmer into the most important role player in Zambian food security and it can be achieved through giving them access to finance and knowledge through the Farm Depot network.
How would this work in practise?
1
PRE APPROVAL
Farm Depot will pre-approve a farmer for a loan based on supporting data including spending habits and contact details. These applicants will be submitted to the lender.
2
LOAN PARAMETERS
Once the loan is approved, the farmer will be limited to purchasing select inputs from Farm Depot to ensure quality control remains.
3
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
They will also have to pay and make use of the technical knowledge services and practices Farm Depot provides.
4
OFF TAKE AGREEMENTS
Farmers who are being financed will receive preferential access to inputs as well as off-take agreements available through independent off-takers.
5
INSURANCE POLICIES
Customers would need to take up an insurance policy for the crops and livestock which they’re growing
So, what is the next step?
Interested lenders would need to do the following:
Step 1
Compete the form below telling us your required terms and conditions an applicant would need to meet.
Step 2
Once the form has been completed, we will contact you.
If you have any questions, please email:
Elements of this project is funded by the European Union