CHRYSTAL SEBOMIT

Chrystal Sebomit (35 received a loan in December 2023 to buy sugarcane fertiliser and the loan was fully repaid. Chrystal is married to Jonnifer (37) and they have three children, Jencris (13), Crizy Jean (10) and Sarah Jean (6). Jonnifer earns a living from working in construction and as a sugarcane farm labourer. Chrystal joins her husband in the fields when workers are needed to do weeding and planting; the couple earn a combined average income of 6,000 pesos (€95) a month. The couple owns a 2-hectare land which they obtained from a government land reform program. One-hectare of it is cultivated with sugarcane and this is a vital source of income for the family. The last sugarcane harvest was in June and it gave the couple a net income of 40,000 pesos (€600) after deducting their expenses. With the proceeds, the couple bought 6 sacks of rice, school supplies for their children and paid for a long awaited electricity connection at home.

The couple are keen to cultivate their remaining 1-hectare land thus making for 2 hectares coming under cultivation. Chrystal is applying for a loan to cover the expenses that will be incurred, specifically: The purchase of 24 sacks of fertiliser for a two-time application of the whole area and the hiring of four labourers who will help the couple with weeding and planting. There will be no need to buy sugarcane points as Chrystal and Jonnifer have gathered enough points from their own farm and from working on other farms. Chrystal is hoping to realise a harvest of 100 tons of cane in ten months’ time. After the deduction of her cultivation expenses and the repaying of the PSHF loan, she hopes to realise a net income of 80,000 pesos (€1,200) from her two hectares of sugarcane planted land.