Slide 1

Christian Willemse

Plastic Plant Ties to Secure Climbing Plants on Terrace Walls

Hi, my name is Christian Willemse and I am a first year student at the University of Guelph in the agricultural science program. My export idea is plastic plant ties to secure climbing plants on terrace walls in Nepal. This would be a great opportunity for Nepal because it would increase the production of farms and create more jobs. It will also be beneficial to Canada because it will provide Canadian companies with a new market as well as create more jobs.1

NepalPopulation 27 MillionEconomy dominated by agriculture20% of land cultivableMountains 86%Government focused programs to increase production

Nepal is a relatively small country between China and India with a population of approximately 27 million. In Nepal the economy is dominated by agriculture. With only 20% of the land being cultivable, and the mountains accounting for approximately 86% of the land, agriculture still accounts for 60% of the Gross Domestic Product and 75% of total exports. In Nepal agriculture is the main source of food, income, and employment. In the past the government had focused on increasing the production of the agriculture industry but faced tremendous inhibitors.2

ProposalVertical farmingTerrace wallsClimbing plantsPlant tiesReduces erosion

My proposal for the agriculture industry in Nepal is to export plastic plant ties for securing climbing plants. These ties will allow farmers to grow plants on vertical surfaces such as the front of the terrace walls to increase the production of their land. Vertical farming will make better use of land that is otherwise wasted and also help reduce the amount of erosion these hillside farms often experience.3

Plastoband Plastic TiesBlack Plastic TiesUsed to secure climbing plants, young trees, vines, shrubs, tomatoes, flowers, small fruit plants, etc.UV-stabilizedSpecial design allows them to be easily adjusted or removedQuick and easy

The product I chose to export was Plastoband Plastic Plant Ties. Plastoband plastic ties are used to secure climbing plants on vertical surfaces such as terrace walls. These ties are made of black UV-Stabilized plastic that allows them to have better resistance to environmental conditions. The unique design allows theses ties to be installed and removed easily without any harm to the plant or tie. These ties are extremely durable and reusable. 4

Plastoband Plastic Ties CostSold in bags as bulk$39.95/1000 units = 3,595R/1000 units4/1 unit = 3.60R/1 unit1000 units/bag1 bag = 3.1lbsExtremely reasonable priceCompetitors higher in price

The price of the plastic ties is very affordable when the ties are sold in bulk. Bags that consists of 1000 units are considered bulk. The price of 1000 units is $39.95 Canadian or 3,595 Rupees. This works out to approximately 4 cents or 3.60 Rupees per one unit. Keep in mind the cost you see is the price of the product without the cost of shipping added on. Each bag of 1000 units weighs approximately 3.1lbs. The cost of these plant ties is extremely reasonable for the purpose they serve in the farming operation. Competitors with the same product are anywhere from five to twelve and a half times greater in price.5

The SupplierDubois AgrinovationA Canadian CompanyIrrigation, nursery, and vineyard and orchard equipmentManufacture own productsLocations in Quebec, Ontario Colton Oughtred Sales Representative

The low cost of the ties can be directly linked to the company. Dubois Agrinovation is a Canadian Company that specializes in the production and sales of irrigation, nursery, and vineyard and orchard equipment. Dubois designs and manufactures their own products and have locations in Quebec and Ontario. I have been communicating through email with Colton Oughtred who is a sales representative at Dubois and he is very excited to be helping with this project. Their goal at Dubois is to listen to the needs of the customer and find a solution adapted to your situation.6

How Nepal BenefitsMake use of otherwise wasted landIncrease productionIncrease in jobsPut more food on the table for the farmerSustainability of farmland

Nepal would largely benefit from this idea in more ways than one seeing as how 80% of the population depends on agriculture to survive. My product would allow farmers in Nepal to make use of otherwise wasted land and increase the production of the land they already own. It would also create more jobs by providing more crops to take care of and will ultimately put more food on the farmers table. My product would also contribute to the sustainability of farmland by reducing erosion which causes the loss of soil and soil nutrients on hillsides.7

How Canada BenefitsIncrease in exportsIncrease in jobsStronger ties with NepalNew marketFurther opportunities

Exporting products to Nepal will not only help the agricultural communities, but it will also help Canadian businesses. Canadian businesses will benefit from this opportunity because it will allow them to increase the production of the product as well as increase their labour force. They will also be entering a market that has not been dominated and is relatively new to the agriculture industry in Nepal, which means there is room for expansion. With the partnership between the two countries, Canada will gain stronger ties with Nepal and hopefully this allow for future business to be conducted.8

Further ReadingDubois Agrinovation. http://www.duboisag.com/enDubois Agrinovation, Black Plastic Ties Plastoband. http://www.duboisag.com/en/black-plastics-ties-u-v-stabilized-plastoband.htmlOpportunity, democracy, and the exchange of political violence, a sub national analysis of conflict in Nepal. http://jcr.sagepub.com/content/50/1/108.shortTransit and trade barriers in eastern south Asia: A review of the transit regime and performance of strategic border-crossings. http://www.econstor.eu/obitstream/10419/64313/1/57866495X.pdfTrade, growth, and poverty World Bank, Development Research Group, Macroeconomics and Growth. http://users.nber.org/~wei/data/FinGlobal-F&D.pdf#page=78Foreign trade pattern of Nepal: Gravity model approach. http://www.nrb.org.np/ecorev/pdffiles/nrbwp201421.pdfA review on soil erosion conservation measures in Nepal. http://www.peakjournals.org/Archive/pjpesr/2014/apr/pdf/PJPESR-14-007%20Govinda%20.pdf

For further reading please use these links.9

Christian Willemse (cwillems@mail.uoguelph.ca)University of GuelphFaculty Sponsor: Prof. Manish Raizada (raizada@uoguelph.ca)Time: 4:12For further information: A detailed written evaluation of this export idea is posted on this website

If you have any questions feel free to email me, thank-you for your time.10