Bridges to Community

AGRICULTURAL FUND

Meet Johan

an agricultural loan beneficiary

Johan Alexander Galva, a 21-year-old from El Palmar de Yaque, recently graduated with a degree in Agricultural Production from the Instituto Superior de Agricultura (ISA), where he attended on a scholarship. With his technical knowledge, particularly in hydroponic systems, Johan aims to start a lettuce and cilantro production business in his community. 

Hydroponic farming captured Johan’s interest due to its efficiency, higher-quality yields, and minimal labor requirements. Johan’s ultimate goal is to improve his financial situation to build a home for his mother, Juana Galva, whom he deeply admires for raising him and his siblings as a single mother. 

The high startup costs have been a challenge, and Johan lacks the credit history and collateral typically required by banks. However, his dedication to making the project succeed is unwavering: “I’m going to give 200% of my effort to make this project a success.”

Register as a volunteer today and be the reason someone’s world gets better.

ABOUT THE LOAN

The Bridges’ agricultural loan fund aims to provide capital alongside training and technical support for local families in the Yaque municipality of San Juan so that farmers can thrive economically. Our goals are: 

  • Help farming families increase their annual earnings and crop yields by promoting improved farming methods, providing technical support and implementing environmentally efficient techniques such as drip irrigation and hydroponic systems.
  • Promote crop diversification and expand on the planting of non-traditional crops that provide better market prices, thus providing a larger family income. 
  • Promote and support entrepreneurship and create sources of employment.
  • Increase access to more varied vegetables in the region, improving diet and nutrition. 
  • Allow farmers the opportunity to sustainably work their land, reducing migration to tourist or metropolitan areas in search of alternative employment.
  • Provide a positive farming model in the region to serve as an example for others

NEXT GOALS

Loan length

15 months

Repayment schedule

15 months

Disbursed date

14 April

Is borrower paying interest?

YES