Page 174 - AFAP Success Stories 2020

AFAP brings close

APO’s dream

of becoming an

international Agro

input dealer

I think AFAP was God sent. Much as a truck was an urgent need, the
challenge was how and when to mobilize USD35 000. If I were to buy a truck
alone, my business would stumble for two years. AFAP has opened my eyes
and now I am thinking big. This is a real push you have given me.

Apollo Bubolo, director of Apo Farmers’ Centre.

Challenge On average, every trip to his business in Iganga costs
Apo USD500 and this excludes the expenses involved
Apo Farmers’ Centre started its agro-input business in when delivering to the different retail networks, which
2014, and began importing fertilizer in 2016. Apollo (Apo) cost USD400 per day. The cost to hire a truck fluctuates;
Bubolo, director of the centre, values customer loyalty and in peak season, it is about USD 700 from Nairobi and
because of that, he believes in the delivery of products at internally, up to USD500. Using hired trucks restricts one
the point of sale. He has been doing this at his company’s from guaranteeing delivery dates and turnaround times.
expense and other high operational costs are incurred On average, Apo imports three trucks (37.5MT) per week.
when transporting fertilizers and other inputs from Kenya.
Previously, Apo tried to hire trucks that had taken goods

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