By Program Department | THP-Uganda
Profile of a Leader in the Community
Mathew Bamwanga, the Chairperson of the Kiruhura Epicenter committee, is 60 years old and a resident of Kitura sub-county, Kiruhura district.
Mathew moved from Bushenyi district to Kiruhura district to acquire a bigger piece of land (measuring 20 acres) because the land he owned did not allow him to implement extension agriculture. He acquired the 20 acres of land in Kiruhura, but experienced more challenges as the land was drier compared to the land in Bushenyi district, leading to crop failure.
When THP-Uganda started trainings in Kiruhura district in 2007, he attended the VCAWs and was elected as a member of the epicenter committee through democratic elections held by the community.
When the epicenter moved to phase two and all catalytic programs were introduced, he was one of the partners to receive improved, early maturing, high-yielding and drought-resistant beans. He received 10 kgs and managed to harvest 400 kgs, which was his highest harvest recorded compared to the previous seasons.
He sold 300 kgs at UGX 1,500 (.62¢US) per kg, earning him UGX 350,000 (US $145), which he used to buy two acres of land currently planted with pineapples. The pineapple business has improved his daily income.
The following planting season, Mathew received 30 kgs of improved, early maturing, high-yielding and drought-resistant beans from THP-Uganda and harvested 1,000 kgs, allowing him to contribute 90 kgs to the epicenter food bank. He again sold 700 kgs out of 1,000 kilograms at UGX 1,000 (.41¢US) per kg, earning him UGX 700,000 (US $300). He used the money to purchase four acres of land, where he established a banana plantation for feeding his family.
He is proud of THP-Uganda and appreciates the trust relationship he has established with his community members. Currently, Mathew is the chairperson-elect of Kiruhura Epicenter.
He has been elected in his parish as National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) chairperson, and he has encouraged partners to move towards investing in high-yield exotic cattle breeds as a way of increasing their household income.
He lobbied the NAADS program in his parish, and it has now started giving out the improved seeds to the members for planting.
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