Project summary

Mangochi Fishmart is a sole proprietorregistered business (Reg. No. 143506, 02-12-2011) based in Nkope, 22 km from Monkey Bay and 40 km from Mangochi M10 road  - Malawi. The business buys fresh fish from local fishermen and sells fresh, smoked, sun dried, roasted, boiled and dried, and specialty fish products to restaurants, markets, grocery chains, and distributors.

Fishing from Lake Malawi is becoming less reliable  due to climate change,overfishing,seasonal variations affecting catching volumes and in our community poverty,hunger and access to good water has been a major problem.As a fish trader, I have faced frequent shortages of fish to sell, which reduced my income and with water challenges in our community we are suffering a lot. Responding to this In year 2022 the owner of  Mangochi Fishmart, Eduard Chiutula  through his personal savings and business sales constructed three fish ponds of different sizes and installed 2.5 km pipeline from Lake Malawi. Although the fish ponds have been constructed due to inflation and high cost of living in Malawi the project has been idle for 3 years.

This proposal seeks $25,000 (Twenty five thousand united states dollars) to establish sustainable fish pond production and solar-powered water supply system that increases fish production while improving water access, livelihoods, health, and food security for the surrounding community in Nkope Village, Mangochi- Malawi.

Nkope community faces severe water access challenges and lack of  reliable water prevents from  irrigation farming, causing hunger and poverty. 350 families will benefit from a reliable water system for household use, irrigation, sanitation, and other productive activities. Women and children currently walk long distances of 2.5 km to fetch water, and many community members remain exposed to crocodile attacks and waterborne diseases such as bilharzia and cholera, they depend on unsafe lake access. No borehole, as drilled water is salty

I understand your grants targets registered non-governmental organizations or business entrepreneur within your country or other countries,please consider  this project because it directly benefits both a registered local business and an entire rural community. A one time grant of  $25,000 will unlock an already existing project and turn it into a sustainable source of food, income, agriculture and safe water for our community. We are  seeking one time grant because our business will be generating profits which  will be reinvested into equipment maintenance and community water infrastructure.

350 families needs your support this project will improve fish production, create jobs, strengthen food security, support irrigation farming,reduce health risks,reduce time and effort spent fetching water especially for women and children and it will expand income opportunities for both the business and the entire community.

Water is life, this project will bring life to the community and without your support, both the business and community will continue to suffer.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The main goal of the project is to establish a sustainable water development to the community and profitable fish farming operation that contributes to local food security and economic development.

We have several key objectives to complete and to accomplish this,some of our objectives outcomes are:

1.  Generating  sustainable income to support families livelihoods and business growth.

2.  Reducing fish stock  pressure in the lake Malawi by promoting farmed fish.

3.  Establishing irrigation community cooperatives .

4.  Ensuring reliable water supply to the community and ponds using solar pumping and storage tanks.

5. Supplying  safe water along the 2.5 km pipeline to households for drinking, washing, and other uses.

6. Gaining  market share and increase current revenues ,offering competitive prices to our community members.

7. Increasing availability of affordable quality fish to the community.

8. Reducing walking distance and community health risks.

9. Reducing hunger and strengthen food security through irrigation farming.

With our objectives project performance will be monitored using the following indicators:-

Number of fish ponds rehabilitated and filled.

. Installation and functionality of solar pump system.

. Number of water tanks installed.

. Volume of water pumped per day and area supported under irrigation.

.Number of households benefiting from improved water access and reduction in time spent fetching water.

. Number of fish stocked and harvested.

. Monthly fish sales volume.

. Number of jobs created.

How will this funding be used?

Here is the break down of the $25,000
$ 5,000 will be used to purchase and installation of solar water pump suitable for 2.5 km distance. Solar water pump is important  for pumping  water from Lake Malawi through the existing pipeline system to the community and to the  ponds. Proper water management is critical for maintaining pond levels, controlling and providing quality water to the community, and ensuring the health and survival of fish. This project will allow the previously installed infrastructure to become fully functional and operational to both business and to the community. With this 15 horse power solar water pump we are expecting to be pumping not less than 950,000 litters per day which is good for us, no black outs and huge electricity bills.

$ 2,500 will be used to purchase solar panels, controller, inverter, cabling and protective structures.

$ 4,500 will be used to purchase 78,000 of tilapia fingerlings for all three ponds. Tilapia fingerlings are best due to their fast  growth rate, tolerance to local environmental conditions  and has good market demand. Access to quality fingerlings is essential for achieving good survival rates  efficient feed conversion and predictable harvests. Fingerlings will be purchased immediately after acquiring the pump to start production quickly and begin generating income. Lack of fingerlings has delayed production despite the completion of the ponds. With 78000 fingerings we are expecting to harvest 30 tonnes of fish

$ 4,800 Starter feed for at least one full production cycle . Proper feeding is important for fish growth, health, and overall productivity.With proper feed 78000 fingerings per one full production circle we are expecting to harvest 25-35 tonnes of fish.

$ 850 will be used for construction of  irrigation drainage system to avoid stagnant water and it will be used for Improving inlets and outlets, valves, and basic water control gates.

$ 1,850 Since the project will create employment opportunities for local community members this money will be used for salaries for a period of 6 months.

$ 1,500 will be used for training in pond management,water management , solar pump operation, irrigation techniques,hygiene and sanitation.

l Simple bookkeeping and business planning tools.

l Regular monitoring of water use, fish production and community impact.

$ 950 will be used for operational and maintenance costs like fuel,transport and other utilities

$ 3,000 will be used to  purchase three  5000 litters water tanks ,taps for community water distribution through these tanks water will be treated and water testing kits and basic treatment materials will be purchased.

1. BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY CONCLUSION

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Currently Mangochi Fishmart has few (5) personnel because 80% of its sales are wholesale but we are looking forward to have more personnel from our community.

From our community we will recruit staff  who has high level integrity in management of projects activities and resources leadership skills, innovation, commitment and passion for development. Staff  members who has ability to plan, organize work and supervisory at top management level,who they also take part in decision making.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

350 families needs your support this project will improve fish production, create jobs, strengthen food security, support irrigation farming,reduce health risks,reduce time and effort spent fetching water especially for women and children and it will expand income opportunities for both the business and the entire community.

Water is life, this project will bring life to the community and without your support, both the business and community will continue to suffer.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?
$ 31460 through his personal savings and business sales .