Nebbi Small-Scale Farmers Reaping Big From Indigenous Crops After Gaining Skills From Caritas

ALEX PITHUA

Twenty-five groups of small-scale farmers who are venturing in organic farming in Erusi and Ndhew sub-counties, Nebbi district are reaping big after acquiring advanced skills from Caritas Nebbi Catholic Diocese.

The twenty-five groups apparently have 750 farmers spread in the two sub-counties since 2022.

They are actively engaging in growing traditional crops such as beans, Groundnuts, Irish potatoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, Coffee and diversifying into poultry farming and piggery among others.

The project code named “Food and Economic Security” is focused on empowering small-scale farmers on organic farming and agro-ecology with support from “Bread for the World” based in Germany.

Speaking to these farmers last week during the exhibitions and training on agro-ecology held at both Ndhew and Erusi sub-counties, the farmers explained that they have realized bumper harvests and promising returns per season as a result of Caritas intervention in this community.

Cikawun Sakina, a farmer from Mambi village, Pajur parish Erusi sub-county observed that they are able to apply best agronomic practices such as early soil preparation, early planting, raw planting and proper spacing and applying local concoction as pesticides to kill the pests which has enabled them to get high quality yields.

“Since Caritas came in handy for us we benefited a lot and now we are taking children to school and our income has improved because we are empowered with seed capital and better training.” Cikawun

Bill Clinton Mangala, group leader of Dikiri Enetego group, Atido village, Padolo parish, Erusi sub-county implore that they embrace terraces in their gardens to control soil erosion and provide moisture respectively for crops since the area is a steep slope gradient.

“This Caritas brought to us knowledge and love for growing our traditional crops as our forefathers used to practice. But it’s a modern style of farming which brings income for us.” Mangala recounted to our reporter during the exhibitions at Erusi Sub-county.

Yasin Yayah, a group leader of Thwulo Cwiny group in Pacaka Parish, Erusi sub-county said they make organic pesticides (concoctions) from available plants in the community for spraying crops and eventually use the residue as manure in various gardens.

Yasin adds that Caritas took them to studies and exposure visits in Adraa Agricultural College in Madi Okollo district, Shida Nakazi farming Centre in Zombo district and St. Jude Family project in Masaka City Central Uganda.

“Caritas took me for different training, I used to think farmers who reap big money apply charms from traditionalists and magic, even now locally here if other farmers reach our garden they say we are using charms and magic. But it’s not true.” Yasin explained

Wilfred Obedgui, another beneficiary from Nziri West youth group, Nziri West village, Pacaka Parish says Caritas gave them a new digital weighing scale, packing bags and that they have started a local seed business.

“We are able to supply good quality seeds for planting, I call upon farmers to come and buy from us.” Obedgiu

Ronald Oloya Okweda, Agricultural Officer Ndew sub county confirms this development adding that they have realized much boost in production in the two sub-counties with the intervention of Caritas.

Okweda said the project in the first year has distributed bean seeds to different groups which are doing collective marketing, adding that a group called “Nen Bor” has acquired poultry farms, piggery at household level and group level.

“We have worked with Caritas for three years under Agro-ecology which has improved farmers’ growing skill on new crops and improved on the coffee after the exposure visit in Masaka.” Okweda

Moreen Wilembe, Caritas project officer for Erusi sub-county revealed that they brought on board and trained 300 farmers in Ndew and 450 farmers in Erusi. Wilembe told the beneficiaries to continue working under their different groups and transfer the knowledge to other farmers in the community.

“We have been in the field with these farmers. They are able to apply all the skills locally here, I urged them to continue when the project ends and they should transfer the knowledge to other farmers”-says Wilembe