Innocent Akumu, a man whose life was dramatically altered by the ongoing simultaneous construction of a crude oil pipeline and a new road. His cherished piece of land held not just a house, but a flourishing orchard of fruit trees, bountiful cassava, and thriving banana plants, among other crops. While he had been assured of compensation in the form of a modern house for his residence, Akumu’s greatest concern loomed large – how would he sustain his family in the interim, while awaiting the new crops to mature?

“I was aware that a new house would come my way eventually, but my primary worry centered on providing sustenance for my loved ones while we awaited the yields of our new crops,” Akumu confided.

Fortuitously, Total Energies, the primary contractor overseeing the Tilenga oil project, had initiated a special endeavor known as the “Provision of Agricultural Services Project” (AgricSSP). This initiative, entrusted to the capable hands of Living Earth Uganda (LEU), was designed to facilitate the recovery and rehabilitation of all those affected by the expansive project.

Akumu was among those beneficiaries. He was entrusted with four bags of cassava cuttings, which he promptly planted across half an acre of his land. Before these cassava plants reached maturity, Akumu decided to sell a portion of his burgeoning garden for a sum of 950,000 Ugandan shillings, ensuring there was enough left to sustain his family during this trying period.

“I discovered that Narocas Cassava is a fast-yielding variety,” Akumu remarked. “In less than a year, I earned nearly a million shillings from this harvest. Without this innovative cassava variety, it would have taken me at least two years to accrue such a substantial amount.”

Following this successful harvest, Akumu wasted no time. He immediately reinvested his earnings, dedicating two more acres of his land to cultivate the same fast-growing cassava variety. With conviction in his voice, he declared, “I am confident that by the end of next year, these new crops will fetch me over 3 million shillings.”

Innocent Akumu’s story exemplifies not just resilience in the face of adversity but also the transformative power of thoughtful initiatives like the AgricSSP, which empowered individuals like him to rebuild their lives and secure a brighter future for their families amidst challenging circumstances.