7:31:00 AM
Farming in Zimbabwe has begun to change how people
view ‘going to work’ or careers. More and more people – including young people,
are looking into the sector for long term investment (business) and for etching
out a living (a full time career). But if you decide to venture into farming in
Zimbabwe, where do you find the finances?
Understandably, your agribusiness, as any other
business out there, will require that you have at least some amount of money on
hand to get you started. The amount will obviously depend on what type of crop
or livestock you will be producing.
Securing enough financing, it must be emphasised,
is the biggest huddle many would-be businessmen/women and entrepreneurs everywhere
face from the start and as the business grows. It is not just in agriculture.
Below are ways a person can put together capital to
go into farming:
Personal
savings
While a big project may require an equally huge
capital injection, a small project should not be very hard to fund. From
savings as little as $500, you can get a small-scale piggery operation (for
example) going – granted not rent land and have some structures build from
freely available materials from the bush. In this example, the pigs are also
fed on stuff that would probably have landed on the garbage heap.
This is not to say $500 is easily attained but this
is to say when many Zimbabweans are importing cars for above $1000, $500 should
not be too hard to save.
Relatives
and Family
For many businesses and entrepreneurs, relatives
and family can be a great support base financially. One can bring in their
family, friends and relatives into the project – provided they have a few extra
dollars lying around. That is hopefully while you get the project on its feet
or preparing it to be attractive to future investors. So do not be afraid to
approach your close relations for a boost and also be able to pay them back –
otherwise you will not only sit with an unrealised dream but also angry family
members and relatives.
Government
funding and loans
The Zimbabwe government often announces support for
farmers including loans specifically aimed at empowering the youth. Try to
apply for these funds as they come with somewhat better conditions than from
private lenders such as banks. As a side note: prepare to fight out for these loans
with thousands other entrepreneurs and their business concepts. The good thing
though is that government is aiming to bolster agriculture and mining industries.
Bank Loans/Agricultural
Financing
The are several institutions in Zimbabwe with loan facilities
specially targeted at farmers. You can explore their options and hopefully get
enough funding for a single season of greenhouse tomato farming, which could
pay off the loan and still make you some profit. The secret here is to research
and determine the bank/corporation that provides the best service.
Crowd
Funding
Crowd funding is a new way for raising funds for a
business venture. It is mostly done via the internet where you pitch your
business idea and if people like it, they will contribute to realise the dream.
It must be said that many people use this route for most tech and entertainment
industry projects --- not agriculture, but no harm in trying hey.
Some websites to try are Kickstarter, Indiegogo and
GoFundMe.
NGOs
Non-governmental organisations such as the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have been funding from rural to
small-scale farmers involved from livestock, vegetable to fish farming. Find
out how you can get on board.
Please comment below any suggestions you might have
about how to find the money for an agricultural venture in Zimbabwe.
No comments
Post a Comment