TIPS FOR THE NEW FARMER

THE GUIDELINE FOR THE ZIMBABWEAN NEW FARMER

I have been visiting the newly resettled farmer and I have observed that they are facing challenges. These challenges they face are almost identical for all farmers. I have summarized and grouped these into the following five categories.

KNOW YOUR LAND AND YOUR CROP

I have observed that the new farmer lack the knowledge of his land and the crop to grow on it. The farmer is growing the crop that he wants to grow, instead of growing the right crop for the soil and climate.

The farmer should consult the local agricultural extension officer, their neighbours or even the previous farm workers on the history of the farmer. The new farmer do no need to reinvent the wheel when it come to the crop, soil and labor as these are available. Most of the successful farmers I have met have inherited workers from the previous white farmers. These farmers have inherited invaluable experience and skills.

RECORD KEEPING

I am amazed most of the time I ask a farmer to produce his wages book or how much he paid for his or her input him or her always most of the time fail to produce the records. I have always wondered how a farmer can plan without records of previous activities such as wages, inputs or even weather.

These are basic records every farmer should have;

1. Time book

2. Wages book

3. Input book (Purchases by the farmer are recorded here)

4. Files for invoices

5. Sales book (everything the farmer sells must be recorded)

The above records will enable a bookkeeper to draw accounts of the farm. It is also important to note that the records will assist the farmer to draw up statutory returns.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

I have walked into farmhouses where the security is so lax that you could load the furniture and drive away without any problem at all. The farm security should be at the heart of all farming activities but it is relegated to the peripheral by the new farmer.

Here are basics of farm security;

1. Guards

2. Perimeter fence

3. Alarms

4. Fireguards on the perimeter

COMMUNICATIONS

It is very difficult to communicate with a new farmer especially where the wireless networks have not set up their boosters. The new farmer should set up a postal box or apply for landline.

The new farmer must also approach the local authority through the local councilor to improve the road network.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW FARMER

Farming is a commercial activities and every farmer is an employer. Every employer has some obligations to his or her employees and to the Government of Zimbabwe.

Here are the farmers’ statutory obligations;

1.       Pay As You Earn(Zimra)

2.        National Employment Council Levy

3.       Standards Development Fund levy

4.       National Social Security Authority

5.       Manpower Development Fund levy.

The above has been compiled to assist new farmers and for further assistance please contact the writer on mobile +263773037230 or visit www.edmorembuzanamlambo.blogspot.com or follow me on www.facebook.com/edmore.mbuzanamlambo or email me embuzana@gmail.com.

©All rights reserved   Thornbridge Investments P/l Zimbabwe

TIMESHARES OFFERS#ZIMBABWE #THORNBRIDGE INVESTMENTS

MUNDANDA LODGES AND SAFARI 

A THORNBRIDGE INVESTMENTS HOSPITALITY VENTURE

The company intends to develop units of self- catering lodges on the principal directors rural land in Chigodora .The land is 25km from Mutare in Zimbabwe. The units will comprise of  two bedroom ,a lounge, kitchen and a bathroom. Six units can be developed on the available area.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

The project will be funded partly from the company own resources and from external investors through timeshares or Build Operate Transfer basis

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PROPOSAL TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS

The company propose to give investors the opportunity to buy timeshares which can be traded or purchased back by the principal directors .A unit will cost $600.

PLATINUM TIMESHARES $6000(10 units) 

Platinum shares entitle members to three months (90 days) occupancy per year at the lodge per year and it can be inherited or passed to a members’ estate. A member who opt not to stay will be entitled to claim back the days he has not utilized at the rate of $20 per day less 10% management fees.

GOLD TIMESHARES $3000 (5 units)

Gold timeshares entitle members to  45 days occupancy per year at the lodge over a member’s lifetime. The company will pay back the amount invested in the event of death. Members who opt not to stay will be entitled to claim the days not utilized at a rate of $15 per day less 10% management fees.

SILVER TIMESHARES $1200 (2 units)

Silver timeshares entitle members to 21 days occupancy per year at the lodge over a member’s lifetime. The investment will be paid back in the event of death. Members who opt not to stay will be entitled to claim the days not utilized at a rate of $10 per day less 10% management fees.

BRONZE TIMESHARES $600(1 unit)

Bronze timeshares entitle members to 15 days occupancy annual at the lodge over a 10 year period. The amount invested will be refunded at the end of the period. Members who opt not to stay will be entitled to claim the days not utilized at a rate of $5 per day less a 10% management fees

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PROFIT SHARING

All members will receive an annual dividend based on the net income after deduction of management fees.

DISCLAIMER

The Principal Director or Thornbridge Investments does not own the land the project will be operated on and the above offer does not constitute an offer for sale of land. The land the project will operate on will remain State land and is bound by traditions and the laws of Zimbabwe.

DIRECTORS OF THORNBRIDGE INVESTMENTS 

1.EDMORE MBUZANA MLAMBO

Edmore has experience in industry and commerce as he has previously worked as inspector in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. He has been involved in business consultancy work. He is currently managing a bar and a bottle store on rented premises.

Edmore has previously run a Bed And Breakfast lodge in Gaza Township, in Chipinge , Zimbabwe. It was the first township lodge and the project was successful run for five years. This project and experience gained is enough to see the timeshare project succeed

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Edmore is providing the land where the lodges will be developed and will be responsible for the day to day running of the project.

Edmore can be contacted on mobile +263773037230 or email embuzana@gmail.com you can also follow him on twitter.com@mbuzana1 ,or on edmore.mbuzanamlambo@facebook.com.

2. BARNABAS SATIYI

Barney is the second director and he is responsible for funding and administration. He will be responsible for recruitment of key personnel.

Barney can be contacted on  mobile +263772890405 or email bsatiyi@gmail.com .

Payments can be made direct into the Principal Director's Paypal account or to  the  director'sbank account below;
Edmore Mbuzana Mlambo

CABS Account 5888923001172864

Herbert Chitepo Street

Mutare.

Zimbabwe.

www.facebook.co/edmore.mbuzanamlambo

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