The Mission
A goal without a plan is just wishful thinking...
Like all good plans this one is simple, easy-to-follow, and is subject to creative interpretation. Here's the 5-phase plan to end poverty for rural farmers in Africa.
Pretty standard stuff...
1. Finish University degree.
2. Get in better shape.
3. Raise funds.
4. Learn as much as I can.
5. Do all the prep work.
This will be the most chaotic season with the highest likelihood of an early death. This is the scary part and where I'll be the most reliant on outside funding. Oh gosh, just thinking about it makes me anxious.
1. Pack my gear ($1~2k).
2. Fly to Nairobi, Kenya ($3~4k).
3. Travel by land to Korebo, Burundi ($1k).
4. Get a long stay visa ($1~3k).
Total: $6~10k
Obviously, I plan to reduce costs if possible.
At an estimated burn rate of $20 per day for living expenses and $10 a day for Kirundi lessons. A 3-month crash course would cost approximately $3k, plus drama. Although I may find temporary work as an English teacher to help with expences. Total: $4k
I am doing everything I can to learn Kirundi now, but I'm struggling to find anyone in Adelaide that's even been to Burundi let alone speak the language.
Ideally I won't have to hire a translator, but I probably will. Google suggests the annual salary for a novice english-kirundi translator is $4k, after that add another $6k for living expenses and costly mistakes. Total: $10k.
After a year I should have a much leaner operation. Assuming free accomodation with friendly locals I'm estimating an expense of $3k per year. Total: $6k.
Grand total: $30k for the first 3 years.
This'll have some of my favourite memories, and probably be the most stressful. It'll also be my second round of fundraising.
After three years in Burundi I would likely have a few business ideas. I'd be prioritising a cicular economy - turning agricultural waste into something valuable. Raising insects is a decent business model. Luckily thinking is free.
First thing is first, I'm not going to get anything done without a team. I suspect I might be able to convince a few local lads that taking an unpaid apprenticeship might be a good idea. Hell, free accomodation, meals, and education... most people go into debt for that.
The plan would be to pay them eventually. However, even if that never comes, I used to teach for a living they're getting a good deal - and it'd be voluntary.
Having a few apprentices would increase daily expenses, but probably not by all that much - assuming I'm smart about it.
While galavanting through the countryside with my motly crew. The plan would be to train them up on accounting, basic business concepts, and regenerative agricultural practices. All while developing several MVPs (Minimum Viable Product) with multiple partners to see what fits best.
After picking the best MVP it'd be time to ramp up production. I've guestimated a barebones insect farm would cost about $20k to set up and take 6 months to get to full capacity. So, with wages, supplies, rent, and licenses that could cost a further $30k. Total: $50k.
It is possible I could call in some favours and reduce the costs, but I'm assuming it'll come down to mostly cash. This is why I have a YouTube channel - audience engagement.
Ideally I'd own multiple of these smaller business and they'd be run as a profit share with my aprentices. This way I can continue my travels giving presentation from villge to village and answering questions.
Same as before, only this time I'm a lot more stressed because I'll be a business owner.
At some point I'll get tired of walking, my business will need a base of operations, I'll find a nice girl, and she'll likely want to start a family.
Hopefully by now my side business/es are producing enough income to keep me alive. At this point I'd be fluent in Kirundi, have a large network of friendly locals, and... very little money.
My next move would be to buy a farm and set up wifi.
Don't have a plan for that.
First thing to do would be to densely plant biomass accumulation throughout the enitire property, build a lean-to, and start a plant nursery ahead of time.
After two years, it'll be time to cut down the biomass accumlation species, collect the logs for more construction, and plant am alley-cropped food forest from my nursery.
Then its just work to get things even close to profitable.
40 years is a long ass time, but once the farm is self-sustaining and home life is stable I'll have one job - build the biggest agricultural empire the world has ever seen.
Wait, hold up!
Capitalism is the most efficient form of organising capital. It's the morally corrupt tyrants that is the problem. It is technically possble to become a titan of industry without losing your soul. Think about it...
If this hypothetical business sold goods internationally and directly employeed 5,000 people we could single-handedly improve the lives of an entire region. The 5,000 (well-paid) employees would want teachers, doctors, and coffee. Schools, hospitals, and cafes would be built to servies these needs. Then there's supplies, logistics, and maintances required to sustain such a big industry - that's another 15,000 people making aliving. They might bring in plumbers, electricians, and trash collection.
Heck, at that point we've got a self-sufficent medium sized town and the whole thing becomes self-sustaining. Then it spreads to the rest of the region, people copy my business model, boom, bread basket.
By 2081, I'll be 90 years-old and I'll have built an agricultural empire, and it'll be time to retire. I'll travel the world doing the podcasting circuit, play with my granbabies, and compete in an ironman just fun. Yup, I'll enjoy my retirement for a full 6-months.
Then its time for stage two...
^_^
Jason Machin
The mad hatter that started this initiative. After the disorientating crisis that was COVID he up-ended his life to chase that idea that's been nagging at him for years. He has an enviromental science degree (2026) and a working knowledge of syntropics. He loves
business, psychology, and problem-solving.
"Humanity has the means to end poverty,
but we seem a little a little distracted. I'm not chasing my dreams, I'm ending the nightmare."
Personal moto:
"Maximum effort for a terrible time!"
