Asiimwe Onesmus is a former conventional farmer who is now an organic farmer, thanks to KHEA farmer trainings. In the period under review, KHEA conducted farmer trainings across the region where farmers were exposed to different organic farming techniques. Through these trainings, Onesmus says he learnt not only how to use less external inputs in his farm but also how to avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. “I have adopted organic farming practices such as crop rotation, composting manure, spraying with organic pesticides such as biochar, ash mixed with water, and local herbs”, he proudly says. 

Onesmus the farmer, is now also a trained multiplier under the KCOA-KHEA in Rukiga district in Western Uganda. He specializes in organic bean production. He says that he did not wait for long to get the results after the big switch to organic farming, courtesy of the trainings. “This has greatly improved production. I manage a small farm of 2 acres, and I now harvest 2 tons of beans, something I never achieved while I used artificial methods of farming”, he quips.  

He says the switch to organic farming has economic benefits for him and his community at large. “Because of the produce, I get an income and deploy people and educate them to the farming needs of bean production required to increase yields”, he adds cheerfully. 

The KHEA farmer trainings aim to disseminate knowledge and good organic farming practices among the local communities across the whole region. Asiimwe is one of the numerous trained farmers making use of the positive effects of organic farming. By farming organically, he both contributes to an intact environment and to less food contamination. 

Prepared by Hudson Shiraku