Lobi Fruits and Vegetables

ABOUT US
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION Lobi Veg is a company founded by Fortune CP (UK) Ltd in conjunction with local farmers at Lobi area, Dedza District, Malawi. The company is owned by Fortune CP and the farmers involved in the fruit and vegetable production in the Lobi area. It is unique in the sense that local farmers are the ultimate beneficiaries of the whole operation. By owning shares, they are assured of sustainable income for years to come for as long as the company exists. A professional management team oversees the whole supply chain from production, storing and packaging in a cold room, marketing and financial administration. The aim is to improve the farmers’ technical ability and economic potential by installing solar/wind powered irrigation systems to produce fruits, vegetables and fruit tree seedlings, and linking the farmers with national and export markets. The irrigation technology facilitates fruit and vegetable production to be done throughout the year. The rationale for using solar/wind energy is that maintenance costs will be minimal for many years (20 years). Farmers will also benefit from zero expenditure on energy as compared to other facilities run by diesel or electrical pumps. We are also using environmentally friendly (green) technology. DEVELOPMENT PHASES The project implementation is being done in two phases. The first phase consists of the improvement of the current fruit and vegetable production to a higher and more market-oriented production level. This will be done by improving the existing production systems, facilities, equipment and infrastructure. Concurrent with this first phase development will be installation of irrigation systems (for 20 hectares), installing cold storage and processing facilities running on solar/wind power. The second phase will integrate pig and poultry production into the system in order to utilise the crop residues as animal feed and manure from the animals to boost vegetable production, and increase land size to 100 hectares. HISTORY The Vision for this venture started in September 2006 when the Managing Director of Fortune CP, Philip Savieli visited Lobi, his home and met over 20 farmers who produce vegetables along the Thete river where the project is based. In 2007/8 the founder submitted a proposal to the Development-Marketplace for African Diaspora in Europe (D-MADE), a World Bank initiative for this project. The proposal was amongst 16 winners out of over 500 proposals by various African entrepreneurs living in Europe. BENEFITS TO FARMERS Economic empowerment- the project will improve income generation and living standards of the community Each farmer will afford to build an eco-friendly house using latest technology It is envisaged that each farmer involved in the project will have his/her house fitted with solar electricity. In future this gesture will be extended to other community buildings such as community hall, primary school and secondary school. Solar powered street lights will also be installed at Lobi, making the community safe. After a year or two of operation, Lobi Veg will put up its own VSAT for internet access. This means a community IT centre can be established where people can learn how to use computers and access the internet.
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BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
Lobi Veg is a company founded by Fortune CP (UK) Ltd in conjunction with local farmers at Lobi area, Dedza District, Malawi.

The company is owned by Fortune CP and the farmers involved in the fruit and vegetable production in the Lobi area. It is unique in the sense that local farmers are the ultimate beneficiaries of the whole operation. By owning shares, they are assured of sustainable income for years to come for as long as the company exists. A professional management team oversees the whole supply chain from production, storing and packaging in a cold room, marketing and financial administration.

The aim is to improve the farmers’ technical ability and economic potential by installing solar/wind powered irrigation systems to produce fruits, vegetables and fruit tree seedlings, and linking the farmers with national and export markets. The irrigation technology facilitates fruit and vegetable production to be done throughout the year.

The rationale for using solar/wind energy is that maintenance costs will be minimal for many years (20 years). Farmers will also benefit from zero expenditure on energy as compared to other facilities run by diesel or electrical pumps. We are also using environmentally friendly (green) technology.

DEVELOPMENT PHASES
The project implementation is being done in two phases. The first phase consists of the improvement of the current fruit and vegetable production to a higher and more market-oriented production level. This will be done by improving the existing production systems, facilities, equipment and infrastructure. Concurrent with this first phase development will be installation of irrigation systems (for 20 hectares), installing cold storage and processing facilities running on solar/wind power. The second phase will integrate pig and poultry production into the system in order to utilise the crop residues as animal feed and manure from the animals to boost vegetable production, and increase land size to 100 hectares.

HISTORY
The Vision for this venture started in September 2006 when the Managing Director of Fortune CP, Philip Savieli visited Lobi, his home and met over 20 farmers who produce vegetables along the Thete river where the project is based. In 2007/8 the founder submitted a proposal to the Development-Marketplace for African Diaspora in Europe (D-MADE), a World Bank initiative for this project. The proposal was amongst 16 winners out of over 500 proposals by various African entrepreneurs living in Europe.

BENEFITS TO FARMERS

Economic empowerment- the project will improve income generation and living standards of the community
Each farmer will afford to build an eco-friendly house using latest technology

It is envisaged that each farmer involved in the project will have his/her house fitted with solar electricity. In future this gesture will be extended to other community buildings such as community hall, primary school and secondary school. Solar powered street lights will also be installed at Lobi, making the community safe.

After a year or two of operation, Lobi Veg will put up its own VSAT for internet access. This means a community IT centre can be established where people can learn how to use computers and access the internet.