Needs and Expenses of the Palm Tree Farm

Maintenance and Operating Expenses

Cambodia's Hope needs to maintain the daily operation of The Palm Tree Farm. It costs money every month to keep the orchards and crops thriving.

Costs:

• fuel for tractors and bulldozers costs $45 every day
• cooking fuel costs $50 each month
• shop tools, garden implements and supplies cost $50-300
• the salary of one staff member costs $75 and up every month
• one month's transportation costs $150 and up
• the food budget costs $600 every month
• a truck for hauling equipment and produce costs $3,500
• housing costs $6,000 every year
• a small tractor costs $3,500
• a large tractor costs $6,000
• a wood working shop costs $7,000
• a large generator (15kw) costs $2,000

Irrigation

The greatest need on the farm is an irrigation system. It costs $35 every day to pump water from wells, but a gravity system from a nearby lake would give an unlimited and free supply of good water throughout the year.

Costs:

• construction of an irrigation system costs $10,000
• one pump costs $35
• 3,000 meters of water pipe costs $800
• a well costs $800-1,200 (depth dependent)

Livestock

The Farm currently has 20 cows and four goats, and more are needed.

Costs:

• three chickens cost $10
• vegetable garden seeds cost $25 and up
• one fruit tree (during, cashew, grapefruit, mango) costs $35 and up
• one female goat costs $160
• one male goat costs $250
• one cow costs $500
• one bull costs $2,000

Land Expansion

Cambodia's Hope plans to develop a bamboo grove at the Farm. It would help to provide income and material for construction of furniture for facilities.

The more land owned by the Palm Tree Farm, the more crops and livestock can be sustained. One of the goals of Cambodia's Hope is to expand the land at the Farm.

Costs:

• a large grove of Burmese bamboo trees costs $13,000
• a hectare of fruit and nut trees (durin, cashew, grapefruit, mango) costs $4,000

Increased Self-Sufficiency of the Farm

The Palm Tree Farm has ample opportunity to become primarily self-sufficient. The construction of a storefront to sell the fruits, vegetables and honey grown and maintained on the farm would help this.

Costs:

• a storefront to sell fruits, vegetables and honey costs $2,000