
Profitable crop: Cabbages are in high demand and sell well in refugee settlements
When Agele applied skills he had learnt in a farming group, his family’s fortunes turned around
Connie Akware
When his tobacco farming pursuits led to debt, loss and conflict in his home, 48-year-old Agele Rashid decided he needed another way of making an income for his family of 16.
“When the money from tobacco comes up, it all goes to repayment of debts, leaving us with nothing,” Agele says. The financial strain led to conflict in his household, where the most basic needs and food became scarce. There were times when the family could only afford to eat one meal a day.
Fortunately, in 2022, Agele joined a farming group supported by ForAfrika. Each participant received “inputs” – such as tools and seeds – as well as climate-smart agronomic training. Agronomy deals with crop production and soil management.
The group initially cultivated tomatoes and cabbages on a two-acre piece of land and were amazed when their harvest generated about $3,000 in sales, with profits shared among the members. Agele decided to apply the acquired skills at home, opting for cabbages and tomatoes because of their profitability.
Going solo
“I hired one acre of land for $43 a year and grew cabbages and tomatoes given to me by ForAfrika. I prepared seed beds and added manure to the soil in the nursery,” explains Agele. After meticulous care, including pest control and fertilisation, he then transplanted his seedlings to the main garden. The cabbages take about three months to harvest, and Agele earned about $2,500 from his crops last year.
Cabbages, in high demand locally, provide a lucrative market, especially in refugee settlements in Uganda where Agele sells his produce directly to buyers.
His success in farming has transformed Agele’s life, enabling him to send his children to school, purchase land, build a house, and invest in additional sources of income.
Potential growth
“I have benefitted a lot from this farming business. I will continue growing vegetables on a large scale and therefore produce in bulk for the whole Koboko district during both on and off seasons,” he says.
His goal is to contribute to the community by producing professionally and serving as a positive example of what hard work and dedication can lead to.
“Long live ForAfrika for changing our lives, and now I find a lot of peace and harmony in the home,” concludes Agele with a grateful smile.
Connie Akware is Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant in Uganda