You Can Help Grow "Bunches" of Bananas!

Ugenya's Banana Farm has fallen on hard times because of lack of consistent funding to sustain optimal growing conditions!  Currently, the farm's 400 banana plants are weak and suffer from blight.

The banana farm was created three years ago through a generous donor; however, funds to sustain the farm have been lacking and harvests have declined markedly each year.  The original intent of the farm was to generate income to fund other village programs and to provide local people who are poor with bananas to supplement their diets. Bananas are used to make, matoke, a local dish that supplies essential nutrients they would not otherwise receive. 

Here is where you can really make a difference with a small financial investment!

A local agronomist reviewed the farm and came up with several recommendations for revitalizing the banana plants and ensuring optimal yields during the three growing seasons each year. The most critical first step is hiring a full-time manager to work and live on the property year-round.  The Farm Manager's job will be to provide consistent farm maintenance, to sell the harvested bananas to individuals and businesses, and prevent theft of the bananas during night-time raids. The Farm Manager's salary will be augmented by free housing and access to nutritious food through inter-cropping additional produce around the banana plants. 

Here is the breakdown of 2011-2012 costs for supporting higher yields and profits in the next 15 months.  

• Farm Manager Salary:  $900.00
• Purchase and placement of fertilizer:    $550.00
• Build a pit latrine on the property:    $350.00
• Inter-cropping around plants:    $250.00
• Add a kitchen to the existing building:    $160.00
• Purchase pesticides for plants:    $105.00
• Labor for weeding the farm at start up:    $90.00
• Transportation of bananas to clients/markets:    $50.00
• Agronomist consults 4/yr:    $25.00
• Producing print advertisements and flyers for marketing:    $20.00
• Tools needed for maintenance of farm:     $100

Total cost:    $2600.00

With your support, it is expected that the Banana Farm can become self-sustaining by January 2013.  Proceeds from the harvest will be held to reinvest into the farm for the next year. To make a donation to help SOTENI revitalize the Banana Farm, please click here.  Under Program Designatioon click on the down arrow and choose SVH-Ugenya Banana Farm. You do not need to designate a specific budget line item from above.  Any amount, small or large, is most welcome! Your gift will be put to good use immediately.  We will report on the progress of the Farm on the Ugenya page of our website.  

Thank you for your support!