Project-affected persons PAPs in Buliisa district, particularly women, have found a fortune in vegetable gardening as one of the many ways to improve household income.
Vegetable growing in Buliisa district has been one of the most underutilized given its dry climate that usually ravages crops. Against all odds, a group of women adopted the improved methods of vegetable growing that allowed their gardens to thrive through the dry spell while they, among other things, practiced irrigation.
At least 100 households will benefit from vegetable farming under this project
Arombo Masiano (62), a resident of Kisomere, Nile parish, Gwendo S/C district, says when Living Earth Uganda (LEU) came with various agricultural trainings, she was a bit hesitant to choose vegetables due to their perishability, but after the training, she realized this was the way to go.
“I am passionate about vegetables, particularly cabbage, eggplants, and red potatoes, and after the training, it became even more clear that I can handle it,” she says.
She adds that “greens have a ready, daily market; I hope it will give me the income that will enable me to care for my family.”
Masiano hopes to increase her savings from sales of these vegetables and invest in livestock, like goats, cows, and poultry, which will support her children’s education.
On the other hand, Serefina Athosowa (64) was not hesitant to choose vegetable growing as this has been her area of interest. Like Masiano, Athosowa well knows that, as a single mother of eight children, she needs a steady daily income-generating project, and she is sure that vegetables provide it.
“Vegetables have quick returns; the demand is high; and because they are labor intensive, especially during the dry season, many people shy away from growing them, which leads to a limited supply on the market,” she narrates.
Masiano and Athosowa both agree that vegetable farming provides good food nutrition options for their families while also generating ready income.