Reaping from Grass Hoppers

November is the 11th month of the year and well known among ugandans to be a month of grass hoppers to the extent that venacular month names are all in relation to these flying insects.

The presence of the thin light flying Orthopteras in the atmosphere might be doing more "harm" than the good. This follows reports in the news bulletins yesterday that indicated Police had arrested over 40 students for dodging and missing classes to go and catch the grasshoppers. Parents have been encouraged to keep a closer look on students and to also priotise their studies over the hoppers.

On the contrary, yesterday we caught up with a first year student at the Ivory Tower , Andrew Matsiko who has ventured into the lucurative grasshopper business. 

Makerere University was earlier this month closed by the president following days of chaos around the hill of excellence that saw destruction of property and numerous injuries to human life. The opening dates for the university however still remain uncertain.

In One on one interview with Andrew yesterday, he told us that following the President's directive to close Makerere University earlier this month left him with no other option but to return back home as it is more economical compared to staying in the city where the costs of living are abit higher.

He further tells us that he had never thought of venturing into this business but due to the prevailing conditions and by the matter of fact that he was idle at home and well being a 'season' of grasshoppers he decided to give it a try.

Despite some little opposition from his parents, they later gave in to his idea and even contributed part of his start up capital to supplement his balance upkeep money. He now buys sacks of grasshopper from kasese at cost of shs.80000 each and brings them to Bushenyi where each goes for over shs.150,000. 
With the extra earnings he receives from per sack , he uses it to meet the transportation costs mainly and is depositing the excess into his savings account. 

He highlights that the major challenge is the uncertainties surrounding the availability of grass hoppers(quantities) where sometimes you fail to break even  and the price fluctuations. Though he notes that this hasn't affected his zeal and he is hoping the insects can continue flying in like till mid-December. Jokingly he concludes "I think Museveni closing a university is a God sent miracle"

Just like any seasonal business, starting and operating one needs an individual to clearly meet these rules namely; Identifying and knowing your market to serve is essential because in most cases such products don't last longer and there is always stiff competition relating to its trendy nature. Identifying your category enables you to have certainty that the product will be purchased. And the last rule is to effectively manage your cash flows, in most cases people mistake the high returns for profits(yes they are) but if you are to proportionate through the 12 months, it is really less money.
   
By Twin Philemon
The writer is a business student at Makerere COBAMS