Orono Clement, is a resilient smallholder farmer aged 65, who lives in Apokor South village, Apokor Parish, Merikit Sub-County, in the heart of Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. A family man married to Anyango Catherine and together they have five children. They currently live with three of them—aged 22, 18, and 16 – along with two other dependents: a lively 7-year-old grandchild and a 22-year-old relative working alongside him on the farm.
Life Before Transformation
Orono’s farming was humble and traditional, relying solely on subsistence crops like groundnuts, rice, maize, and cassava on one acre of land. His annual harvest hardly covered basic household needs. For instance, his groundnut yield was about 8 bags of 100kg each, fetching UGX 80,000 (USD 21) per bag, totaling UGX 640,000 (USD 175) per year. Rice harvests were similarly modest—around 5 bags of 70kg, sold at UGX 175,000 (USD 47) each, bringing in UGX 875,000 (USD 239) annually. Maize and cassava provided food security, with maize earning UGX 200,000 (USD 54) from surplus sales. His farm generated roughly UGX 1,715,000 (USD 469) per year, which couldn’t meet his family’s needs.
Inspired by a neighbor’s success, who harvested 10 boxes of tomatoes worth UGX 2,000,000 (USD 547) in a season—Orono decided to pivot. In 2021, he ventured into horticulture, planting tomatoes and sukuma wiki on the same quarter-acre plot. The results were promising: he harvested 15 basins of tomatoes (about 270kg) at UGX 2,000 per kg, earning UGX 540,000 (USD 147). Sukuma wiki production yielded 30 sacks, sold at UGX 20,000 (USD 5) each, totaling UGX 600,000 (USD 164). The season’s produce brought in UGX 2,600,000 (USD 712)—surpassing his previous annual farm income! This experience ignited Orono’s hope for a better future.
Challenges Along the Way
Despite the promising start, Orono faced hurdles: low yields, limited access to quality inputs, lack of knowledge on good agronomic practices, and difficulty accessing markets, finance, and post-harvest handling skills. With price fluctuations, inadequate market linkages, Orono faced challenges in increasing his income and fully investing in his farm or his children’s education. His attempt at diversification was unfruitful due to limited technical support and financial resources.
A New Dawn
In 2023, a turning point arrived. The Merikit Sub-County Agricultural Office organized farmer training sessions, introducing Orono to the HortiMAP project facilitated by TechnoServe. The project brought expert training on high-value crops such as tomatoes, green peppers, watermelons, pineapples, eggplants, and onions. Orono learned essential techniques: proper land preparation, crop rotation, improved seeds and organic fertilizers, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. He was also linked to service providers offering quality inputs, finance, and market access, opening doors he had long struggled to find.
Transformational Results
Orono embraced the new knowledge. In early 2024, he expanded his farm to one acre planting onions which yielded 2,000kg sold at UGX 1,500 per kg, earning UGX 3,000,000 (USD 821). He continued with tomatoes, harvesting 120 basins (about 2,400kg) and selling directly to local markets and Tororo’s main market for UGX 4,800,000. Additionally, he grew garden eggs (733kg), sold at UGX 1,500 per kg, earning UGX 1,100,000 (USD 301), and green peppers (200kg) at UGX 3,000 per kg, fetching UGX 600,000 (USD 164).
With support from the Ugift program—a government initiative providing irrigation kits—Orono invested UGX 1,200,000 (USD 328) as a 25% co-funding contribution to secure a sprinkler system, ensuring water supply during dry spells. This investment paid off: his seasonal income soared from UGX 2,600,000 to a staggering UGX 8,500,000 (USD 2,328), with annual earnings now surpassing UGX 17,000,000 (USD 4,657)
Beyond Income: Improved Living and Community Impact
This financial leap transformed Orono’s life. He now networks directly with traders, bypassing middlemen, which ensures better prices. He purchased a solar panel to light his home, enrolled his children in better schools, and can afford multiple daily meals—an upgrade from the two-meal days of the past. His farm has become a learning hub for neighboring farmers, spreading knowledge and inspiring change.
Lessons Learned and Words of Wisdom
Orono emphasizes that “Knowledge and mentorship coupled with adopting improved technologies can dramatically boost productivity.” He encourages fellow farmers: “Don’t fear change. Believe in yourself and try new methods; the results can transform your lives.” His story is a testament to the power of innovation, community support, and resilience.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Orono plans to expand his farm to two acres, aiming for UGX 50 million (USD 13,698) in annual income by 2025. He’s working with Ugift to upgrade his irrigation system further, fencing his farm to prevent animal intrusion, and building a permanent house by late 2026. His ultimate goal: to support his children through university and secure a prosperous future for his family.
In Conclusion
Orono Clement’s journey from subsistence to thriving horticultural entrepreneur exemplifies how access to knowledge, technology, and community support can elevate smallholder farmers. His story offers hope for others seeking to transform their livelihoods through innovation and determination.