Summary of project status and achievements:
Jacob reports that all 15 Block-H farmers are thriving and should be ready for a strong harvest in the upcoming weeks. Jacob continues to monitor their fields, offering advice and ensuring their success. The SM has been on several visits with the coordinator and is impressed with the work done by the farmers in H.
Jacob reports that the maize is drying in the fields and that farmers are all very happy with their yields.
Progress towards Coordinator’s goals/Trends from indicators:
Although no indicators will be available until harvest, Jacob is confident his goal of 95% repayment rate will be achieved. The farmers are all enthusiastic about repayment and are happy with the help and support they have received so far.
Future activities and goals:
Jacob and the SM will continue to make field visits in the upcoming weeks to ensure the fields are properly equipped to handle the upcoming burning season. We look forward to a successful harvest.
Wishes or requests:
Examining the budget for Block-H, it is clear that more money needs to be added with regards to transporting and guarding maize en-route from ‘H’ to the storage container at the FORGE compound. The SM will make a formal written request in the upcoming weeks.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status/future activities:
The farmers have progressed nicely in February. Jacob reports the farms are doing significantly better than in years past, with the maize having great size and color. Scaving will begin in the next few weeks and harvest is right on schedule.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status/future activities:
January has been a very successful month of Block H. Jacob is working hard, spending as much time as possible in Block H visiting farmers. On 4 February, Jacob and the SM visited three fields in ‘H’ all of which were excellent. Like FMI, the SM and coordinator believe the best way to have a good repayment rate in June is constant field visits. The SM is encouraging Jacob to spend as much time in the fields as possible. In addition, the SM plans to visit all Block H farmers with Jacob in the next few weeks. We hope that the two of us working together can achieve the 95% repayment rate that was stated as a goal in November.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status/future activities:
December was the most trying month for Block-H thus far. As explained in the November monthly report, Block H incurred 880,000 debt due to unforeseen cost of seeds and co-op fees. The coordinator and PM hope to have this debt paid in full by the next disbursement scheduled for the middle of January.
Substantial problems or issues:
Despite the financial woes, Block-H farmers have done a fantastic job in December. A first field visit was canceled due to bicycle issues, but Jacob assures the PM that the crops are growing well.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status/future activities:
From 26-27 November, Block-H held its workshop for all 15 farmers who will receive loans this year.
On 8 December, the chairman from Agro Deal brought the fertilizer and seeds to be distributed to the 15 clients.
Substantial problems or issues:
Because he went late to retrieve the seeds and fertilizer, the Agro Deal chairman was forced to buy seeds for 92,500 per bag. The extra cost he has transferred to FORGE, meaning we owe him an extra 35,000 per client or 530,000 zmk. In addition, he charged us 50,000 zmk to offload the bags at road 36. He has also demanded the shares fees (300,000 zmk) for joining the co-op be paid (when we tried to pay him before he rejected the money). Despite the fact that we have a signed receipt, Jacob insists that we pay the extra cost and that he did us a favor by buying the seeds. The PM is currently discussing means for retrieving the extra money with FORGE management. To settle the debt over the shares fees and offloading, Block-H borrowed 350,000 zmk from FMI.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Jeremy SimonBlock H Reliable Seed and Market Project
Summary of project status/future activities:
As with FMI, Block-H spent the month of October registering its farmers with government representatives. When the co-op system was reinstituted, Jacob quickly found space with the Agro Deal co-op, through which it is assured he can purchase fertilizer for all 15 of his clients for the 2009/2010 intake. The registration process came with a cost of 20,000 per farmer, a total cost of 300,000 zmk for Block-H.
Once space in the co-op was assured, Jacob worked hard to properly register his farmers and continues to work with them cultivating their fields in preparation of fertilizer.
Substantial problems or issues:
Buying seeds along with the fertilizer will drastically increase the cost for Block-H this year. The PM and the Coordinator have a meeting scheduled to look at finances for Block-H to make sure that all 15 farmers can be sponsored without exceeding the budget of the project. The higher price of maize should help avoid this problem.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Jeremy Simon
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