In Uganda, nearly 1.7 million refugees face severe malnutrition. Rugwira John Baptist, a refugee, improved his family’s welfare through innovative farming techniques taught by Action Against Hunger. By cultivating chili, he has significantly increased his income, enabling his children to attend school. This initiative benefits both refugees and local communities, showcasing the effectiveness of high-value crop farming in addressing food insecurity.
Uganda currently hosts Africa’s largest refugee population, with nearly 1.7 million individuals who have fled various crises such as conflict and climate shocks. Rugwira John Baptist, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has faced significant challenges since his arrival in 2009. Living with his eleven children in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, he struggled daily to provide for his family amidst food insecurity and malnutrition exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support from Action Against Hunger, including enrollment in a nutrition program, proved transformative for Rugwira. He learned innovative farming techniques, specifically the Optimized Land Use Model (OLUM), enabling him to maximize crop yields even on a limited plot of land. This training allowed him to move towards larger-scale farming, leading Rugwira to join the “Maisha ya Kimbizi” farming group, meaning “Refugee Life” in Swahili.
Rugwira embraced chili farming, cultivating it with expert guidance from agronomists. His success in this endeavor has dramatically improved his financial situation, allowing him to pay off debts and secure educational opportunities for his children. He expressed his optimism: “Chili is the enterprise that has earned me more money than any other.”
The positive impact of chili farming extends beyond Rugwira. Vumillia Jane, a local widowed mother, also benefited by pivoting from larger crops to high-value chili, enabling her to support her children’s education comfortably. Action Against Hunger, in collaboration with Shares Uganda, is committed to enhancing agricultural output, recognizing the increasing demand for quality produce as refugees and local communities adapt to changing circumstances.
The initiative by Action Against Hunger is significantly contributing to improving the livelihoods of refugees and local farmers through innovative agriculture. By focusing on high-value crops such as chili, refugees like Rugwira and Vumillia are witnessing transformative changes in their economic situations. The collaboration with local organizations further strengthens these efforts, ensuring sustainable solutions to combat hunger and improve nutrition in Uganda.
Original Source: www.actioncontrelafaim.org
