“Using organic input is more cost-effective since I use what is available from the environment to fertilise the soil thus protecting the eco-system and generating an income for my family through selling the organic input.”
On a cool Wednesday afternoon, we set off for Kasangati town found in the outskirts of Wakiso District in Uganda where we interfaced with Mr. Kayemba Mathias, one of the passionate farmers and a KHEA Multiplier in the area.
On about an acre of land, Mr. Kayemba practices organic farming of a variety of food crops, fruits, trees, greens, and herbs. These include; Cassava, Yams, Jackfruits, Mangoes, Coriander, Nakati (green vegetables), Sukuma-wiki (collard greens), onions, maize, green paper, red pepper and so many others.
Kayemba Mathias from Uganda poses for a photo with some of the onions he grows on his farm Before starting organic farming, Mr. Kayemba practiced Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a system that allows the interplay of both organic and inorganic and synthetic (inorganic pesticides).
He says that this system was quite ironic since the inorganic input would end up contaminating the organic input hence affecting the product which came out unhealthy for both consumption and the environment.
For over the past twenty years, he has been practicing farming but only began organic farming
practices two years back after being trained as a Multiplier under the Knowledge Center for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA) project.
Furthermore, he runs an organization called “Parents Empowering Children and Youth Uganda”,
where he’s a provider of seedlings, manufacturer of pesticides and fertilizers to other farmers.
He has been able to work with 200 farmers through the KHEA Project for the past two years who
have also been trained in organic farming.
Kayemba Mathias at his company location “Parents Empowering Children and Youth UgandaThe urge for Mr. Kayemba to pursue organic farming was his burning desire to do agriculture that is sustainable for the current and next generations and cannot imagine a better path. He narrates
that he and his family can eat healthy foods now due to organic farming which has fewer risks for
diseases compared to inorganic food that is sprayed with a lot of chemicals that intoxicate the
body.
“Using organic input is more cost-effective since I use what is available from the environment to
fertilise the soil thus protecting the eco-system and generating an income for my family through
selling the organic input,” says Kayemba.
Kayemba uses wood ash to apply to his plants as a soil fertiliser. Wood ash is a good source potassium, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium which are essential plant nutrients.
Some of these inputs include eggshells, manure, termite fields in his garden that act as agent for soil decomposition which is imperative for all organic farmers to have in their gardens.
Additionally, organic farming can provide a diversity of crops which leads to a chain of diverse nutrients and has a beauty of recycling of input like eggshell, cow dung and ash which fertilizers
are also made hence multi-purpose Challenges Faced by Farmers Practicing Organic Farming as pointed by Kayemba
Challenges Faced by Farmers Practicing Organic Farming as pointed by Kayemba include:
The procedures being used to carry out organic farming can be quite laborious due to use of
manual methods which makes the work take a longer period too, thus equipment like machinery
would help demystify the farmer’s work.
Strategies being done to improve Organic Farming
Kayemba says that he has been involved in quite a number of events under KHEA and the most recent one is the inter-school debate competitions in which as was the presiding officer. Some of
these schools include Grace High School, Lugoba High, and Oxford High School and many more.
“I have established a demonstration garden to support other farmers who come and learn fromit” says Kayemba.
Kayemba at his demo garden
Kayemba at his demo garden with some of his learners
He adds that it acts as a source of knowledge to other farmers on how to implement it practically
on their farms. Organic farming is no new concept but just a reverse of what used to be practiced
before modern innovations and Kayemba is quoted saying “Agro-ecology has been today, yesterday and is the future!”
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Success story collection – done by Ezra Kalule – KHEA Project Officer – PELUM Uganda,
Edited, reviewed&uploaded by Magino Pamella-KHEA Communications Officer-PELUM Uganda and Biovision Africa Trust Kenya
Author: Pamella Magino
Ms. Magino Pamella joined PELUM Uganda on 1st Oct 2021 as Communications Officer for the KCOA-KHEA project. With 9+ years in Communications and Marketing, she specializes in Public Relations, Business Development, and Marketing. Pamella holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication (Public Relations) and is a Certified Member of PRAU. She has worked with organizations like The Nile Basin Initiative and Victoria University Kampala, crafting strategies that drive positive change.
