CrowdFunding In Farming, Project Hass Avocado.

We had recently concluded a project to acquire Grafted Hass Avocado plants via crowd funding. Crowd funding as described by Wikipedia

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, typically via the internet. One early-stage equity expert described it as “the practice of raising funds from two or more people over the internet towards a common Service, Project, Product, Investment, Cause, and Experience”
The crowdfunding model is fueled by three types of actors: the project initiator who proposes the idea and/or project to be funded; individuals or groups who support the idea; and a moderating organization (the "platform") that brings the parties together to launch the idea.

Some of the Grafted Hass Avocado plants that were bagged.

I took on the role of the project initiator, proposing that we come up with a fund, whereby I use this fund for the purpose of acquiring Grafted Hass Avocado plants. I proposed to come up with 10 "share". Each share for a certain amount qualify for 1 plants. Participant are welcomed to take up in more than 1 share.

Baby Avocado fruits.

This project was launched via our Face Book account Avocado & Fig Wholesale. & Avocados Lovers Malaysia. As there were only 10 shares, all were snapped up very quickly. We made it as a first registered, first served. Then followed by a waiting list. As it was a forward project, no funds were collected during the registration.

Grafted Avocado plants.

Grafted Avocado plants already flowering.

Arrangements / bookings were all made using my own funds. 2 weeks before departing, I contacted all the participants to transfer in their funds. Yes some could not make it due to various reasons and those on the waiting list were moved forward. Managed to collect all the funding 2 days before departure.

Upon arrival at destination, I made contacted with our supplier. Further arrangement were made, as I need to verify that the products are actually as described. Once it was verified, booking were paid. We then discussed on the packaging / timing of delivery and other logistic. Updated all participants.

Baby Avocado fruits.

D day for delivery, one final inspection, all payment sorted out and packing closed. Had a very smooth home coming. Contacted participants to make arrangement for collection.

Baby Avocado fruits.

Project concluded (almost, 1 participant had not response to the collection advise). Fulfillment done and completed successfully. Congratulation to all the participants as we are the first to acquire Grafted Hass Avocado plants via Crowdfunding.

This project gave us a very good experience and may gear us for bigger projects in the future.