Give a brief description of the business
According to WHO (2011), agriculture is critical contributor to Kenyan economy for it contributes over 25 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The sector employs over 40% of the total population and 70% of the rural population. The report further indicates that, agriculture is the key driver to non-agricultural operations like tourism, education, health and social welfare in the country. The agricultural industry in Kenya account for over 60% of the national export earning thus making it one of the largest industry. Despite this, research by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (2019) alludes that Kenyan agricultural industry is curtailed by several challenges. These, challenges include use of outdated technology, diseases and control, poor infrastructure and poor soil nutrients.
With such information in mind, FHOK-Kibera Agrifarm self-help group has a keen interest in uplifting the life of unprivileged youths through sustainable livelihood by exploiting Kenyan agricultural industry potential. The farm which will be located in Mavoko Machakos country will seek to earnest the challenges faced by Kenyan agricultural industry and employ modern agricultural methodology to produce chicken products and greenhouse vegetables. FHOK-Kibera Agrifarm self-help group is composed of 25 members who will actively participate in the installation, management and distribution of the farm product on alternative bases. This cut shot the cost of labour, security and other unforeseen expenses thus increasing profit margin. The farm main produce will include poultry products; chicken meat and eggs and greenhouse vegetables; tomato and green capsicum. According to a research by Carron et al.( 2017) chicken meat consumption within Nairobi metropolitan is expected to increase from 54.8 thousand metric tonnes to 164.6 thousands metric in 2030. This project potential market for our poultry meat and eggs which according to Kippra (2019), the projection is expected to experience upward surge in the rate of consumption and price. Tomato and capsicum being part of Kenyan daily meal in the form of fruits and in meal preparation have readily available market in open-air markets, supermarkets, hotels and at household levels. Dues to climatically uncertainty in the country tomato is characterised as gold mine by KAIRU, (2020) and therefore we expect to fetch enough fund to sustain the operation of the farm within the first few months. The farm being located within the vicinity of Nairobi city and Machakos town, our key customers will be hotels, retailers and greengrocery distributer within then Nairobi metropolitan.