Early Life and Challenges
Mandali Juma, a 26-year-old farmer from Bukasa village in Kayunga District, faced hardships from a young age. Dropping out of primary school at age six due to a lack of school fees, Juma was forced to help his parents, who were peasant farmers. At 14, he began working in his father’s small retail shop, but the job was not fulfilling or prosperous.
Trying His Hand in Agriculture
In search of a better future, Juma decided to grow maize on a quarter-acre of land provided by his father. His first harvest in 2016 yielded 200 kilograms, which he sold at 300 shillings per kilogram, earning only 60,000 shillings (USD 16) —hardly enough to change his circumstances. He tried again in 2018, doubling his harvest to 400 kilograms, selling at 350 shillings per kilogram for a total of 140,000 shillings (USD 38).
He also ventured into tomato farming, investing 150,000 shillings (USD 41) on a quarter-acre plot. Despite earning 180,000 shillings (USD 49) from this crop, Juma’s hopes were dashed when the results did not meet his expectations, leading him to give up on farming temporarily.
Dark Days During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 hit Juma hard. With no income-generating activities, hope waned, and life became increasingly difficult. It was during this bleak period that a glimmer of hope arrived. A friend named Ssizomu informed him about TechnoServe and the VINES project, which was conducting entrepreneurship training for farmers. VINES was a United States Department of Agriculture-funded Food for Progress project working to transform the vanilla sector in Uganda. The project was led by Catholic Relief Services and implemented by a consortium of partners, including TechnoServe.
A Turning Point: The VINES Project
Juma’s life changed when he joined the TechnoServe VINES project. Over three months, he received training on saving, budgeting, and record-keeping skills he had never practiced before. This knowledge became the foundation for his transformation.
With newfound confidence, Juma expanded his farming efforts and this was as a result of agribusiness training. He increased his farm from just six plants to 400 plants, which now generates an average monthly income of 300,000 shillings (USD 82). During the vanilla season, he harvested nine kilograms, earning 162,000 shillings (USD 44), and plans to harvest even more next year as he commits to organic farming.
Current Success and Future Plans
Today, Juma is financially independent. He saves 11,000 shillings (USD 11) weekly through the Namakandwa Kawerimidde Vanilla Association. His goal is to purchase half an acre of land at 10 million shillings (USD 2,739) within the next two years to expand his vanilla farm further.
Moreover, Juma’s success has created jobs in his community—employing four casual laborers daily at 7,000 shillings (USD 2) each. He now provides for his family, supports his community, and dreams of a prosperous future.
A Story of Hope and Resilience
From dropping out of school to becoming an entrepreneurial farmer, Juma Mandali’s story exemplifies resilience, learning, and hope. His journey shows that with the right support, determination, and skills, even the toughest circumstances can be transformed into success.