Give 35 families food security in Uganda

Act 4 Africa’s grains for growth program aims to improve food security among farmers in Mayuge in two ways; 1) Training farmers to employ farming practices that can result in better yields.  2)Training farmers to use appropriate harvesting, drying and storage mechanisms that help prevent loss of grain after harvest and maintain its quality.

In our effort to improve food security, we are delighted to have adopted a new farming model termed visit farming God’s way. Farming God’s way is not only an effective model for increasing yields, but it also employs cost-effective methods. Some of the most crucial practices in the Farming God’s way model are; 1) Using “God’s blanket” (Mulches) to cover all the ground to maintain moisture and fertility and prevent soil erosion. 2) Practicing crop rotation whilst leaving the roots of beans in the ground during harvesting as these fix nitrogen in the soil. 3) Making composite manure.

These principles were passed on to farmers during our monitoring visit in July and they were excited to try them out in the current season to see their outcome. More to that, our beneficiaries who received hermetic bags in our previous training reported that this time round their food was not eaten by rats, and other rodents and therefore have food until the next harvest.

“I used the hermetic bag I got after the Act 4 Africa training for storing my beans. I am happy to report that my beans are still very clean and free from rodents. I now have a supply for until next harvest as opposed to earlier on when some used to get consumed by rats and weevils.” A beneficiary narrated.

“Using the hermetic bag as a storage option enabled me to store my maize better. I was in the position to earn from my grain which helped me feed my family longer and pay school fees for my children. Thank you, Act 4 Africa, for such a wonderful program.” Narrated a farmer.

Future actions.

Conducting detailed post-harvest handling training with our beneficiaries to further put an end to grain loss and maintain the quality of the grain during harvest. After this training, we expect that farmers will save more of their grain for consumption yet have a surplus to sell and maintain the quality that can attract fairer prices on the market.

A big thank you for your generosity towards our grain for growth program. Your support is impacting and transforming households.