Executive Summary

Rukindu Agribusiness Centre is a registered agribusiness enterprise (DSO/13/60/01/66044) based in Marima, Tharaka Nithi County. We operate a 2-acre demo farm and nursery with 20,000 seedlings capacity per season (Hass avocado, macadamia, mango). We solve 3 problems: low-quality seedlings, lack of climate-smart extension, and poor market access for 150+ smallholder farmers (70% women/youth). Our B2F chama input-financing model and B2B aggregation ensures farmers get inputs now and pay after harvest, while we earn from seedling sales, aggregation margin (15-20%), and training. Traction: 18,000+ seedlings sold, 150+ farmers trained, Ksh 2.1M+ revenue to date (bootstrapped). Vision: Become Tharaka Nithi's leading hub for profitable, climate-smart agribusiness, scaling to 1,000 farmers by 2027. We are seeking Ksh 1,500,000 (approx. USD 11,500) as blended investment (grant + low-interest working capital) for 12 months. Use of Funds: - 40% - Nursery expansion to 50,000 seedlings + certification & irrigation (Ksh 600k) - 30% - Working capital Ksh300k 20%-Farm inputs 10%- Operations Alex Mutembei Ngera - Founder & Managing Director* Full-time principal and authorized signatory. Responsible for strategy, operations, finance, and stakeholder relations. Diploma in [Your Course], 3+ years in community agribusiness extension and nursery management in Tharaka Nithi. Leads a team of 5 volunteers and 3 part-time agronomists. Advisory: County Agriculture Officer (Tharaka Nithi), local cooperative leaders, and 2 lead farmers. Structure is lean, field-based, and low-overhead. Bootstrapped since 2023, no external debt. - 2023-2024 Revenue: Ksh 850,000 (seedlings & training) - 2024-2025 Revenue: Ksh 1,250,000 (growth 47% YoY) - Gross Margin: 45-55% on seedlings, 15-20% on aggregation - Chama repayment rate: 100% - Assets: Nursery infrastructure, demo farm, water tank, 20k seedling stock valued at Ksh 700k 2025-26 Projection with investment:Revenue Ksh 4.5M, Net Profit Ksh 1.1M, breakeven on new capacity in 8 months. Books available on request (M-Pesa & ledger). Target market: 300,000 smallholder farmers in Tharaka Nithi & Meru border; Kenya avocado export market growing 20% YoY (Ksh 15B+ industry). Demand drivers: Government push for Hass avocado & macadamia, exporters sourcing from Mt. Kenya region, climate change pushing farmers to resilient trees. Competition: Informal roadside nurseries (low quality, uncertified). Our advantage: Certified, traceable seedlings + buyback guarantee + chama financing + county government endorsement. No organized player within 15km radius. Market entry: Already 150 farmers, word-of-mouth + chama groups. Scalable to 1,000 farmers via cooperatives.