THE adage goes, ‘train a woman and you have trained a nation’. This is philosophy to development, right from the household. Many times it eludes society to the extent that women activists blame it on male patriarchy. But, women who have realized that it is not just about talking, are struggling to make ends not only meet, but also connect.

For example, women in Bukanga sub-county in Iganga District had limited and unaffordable access to improved seeds. Prices were exorbitant in the early 1990s, as they relied on unimproved varieties with very low yields aggravated by vermin and wilts. It took them the formation of an association through which they now harvest big yields. (Above: Aisia tries to help a mother pick up her implements)

In Bukedea District, some women efforts were driven by a local proverb, ‘Apoolo na Angor’ (development of women), which they consider as a Godsend gift. Many knew only poverty, until an organization, Apoolo Na Angor, started in 2003. About five years down the road, beneficiaries can now only count their blessings.(Right: Bakaria in her Maize plantation)

But, it was not easy for most women to join, especially because in many African traditions, a women’s place is firmly at home. Some men objected to their wives joining the organization. They complained of them spending time in meetings and other activities that took them away from home. Nonetheless, many women defied the husbands and joined.

One of them Rukiya Akidi, whose membership in Apoolo Na Angor dates back to 2004, says she was driven by sheer need of improving her household income and her own status. “I felt backward. My husband used to abuse me that my parents did not teach me home care,” she recalls. When Akidi joined the organization, she got chance to learn, with others, home economics and personal hygiene among other practices. “Soon my husband realized the change at home and was happy with me. He never stopped me again from attending activities of the organization.

She remembers that many homes in her area used to have no sanitation facilities. But, now all members have put up pit latrines, kitchens, separate pens for domestic birds and animals, as well as rubbish bins or pits. They also recycle garbage into manure for their crops. The activities have enabled members prepare plate-drying racks to ensure utensils are free from contamination. “So we are now less prone to disease.” (In the picture: Bukedea women during one of their development seminars)

For the Bukanga women, their maize often suffered from the streak virus, until experts at the Namulonge National Research Centre advised them, in 1996, to use improved seeds. That was when we picked interest in growing improved maize,” reveals Grace Bakaira, chairperson of the Bakusekamajja Women’s Development Farmers Association. The group was formed in 1986, ironically for drama, but with a goal of improving the livelihood of rural women.

It has since given a new lease of life to the members and their dependants. Bakaira says, “Initially, the association began with eleven members, but it has expanded to 453 members, with only fifty men.” In 2002, it was registered as a community-based organization, to undertake agricultural development activities. Focus was placed on improved crop varieties to enhance productivity.

The association practices integrated sustainable organic and livestock farming. It carries out contracted seed production, mainly on maize and rice. Some members grow maize for commercial sale, but they still join others for practice and shows in music, dance and drama.(Bakaira feeds her heifer)

In Apoolo Na Angor, members who have never been to school are given adult literacy lessons.

Virtually all women can now read and write.  Says Akidi, “we can now count our money without being cheated.” Each group or cell, within the organization, has 35 members. The organization gave them cows, whose offspring they are expected to pass on to the next beneficiary. “We now get milk for home consumption and for sale and I think you can see us looking healthier,” she speaks with a tinge of satisfaction. 

Agnes Akot, who joined Apoolo Na Angor because her home was disorganized, is all praise for the organization. Boasting an orderly homestead now, she says, “We live in a hygienically clean environment and visitors feel comfortable coming to my home.” With money she gets from selling milk, Akidi provides other necessities for the family, to the delight of her husband.

The Bakusekamajja women’s association is also managed in smaller groups. Secretary Edith Basele explains that it is divided into five zones.

“This year, maize seed production is done on eleven sites comprising of 374 acres.”  From 1999, the association produced 0.3 metric tonnes (mt) of maize; 2.0mt in 2000; 1.1mt in 2001 and 31.8mt in 2002. In 2002, they sold 1.8mt to themselves and 30mt to Harvest Farm Seed Company. (Right: Aisia hands over bicycles to women)

In 2003, they produced 143.8mt and sold off 3.8mt to members; 70mt to Harvest and 70mt to Victoria Seed Company. During 2004, they harvested 145.5mt of maize. They sold 70mt to Harvest, 70mt to Victoria and 5.5mt to members. In 2005, they produced 428.4mt of maize and sold off 390mt and 69mt of rice to Victoria and 38.4mt to association members.

Then in 2006, the association produced 287mt. Victoria bought 95mt of it and rice weighing 66mt. NASECO Seeds Company bought 40mt and Akuku Seeds Company procured 117mt. In 2007, they produced 560mt of maize, from which Victoria purchased 105mt of it and 400mt of rice; while Akuku took 395mt, with 60mt being reserved for NGOs.

The total amount of money from the 2007 harvest amounted to Ush198million (about US $129,000). The association had made Ush68million in a year previously. A member who earned highest, last year, walked home with sh6.3million (about US $4,078) from seven acres of rice, while the lowest take-home was sh160,000 ($104) from a quarter of an acre.

“This year’s first season, a kilogramme of rice with husks will be bought at sh1,000 ($0.7cts). We estimate to get about sh300million. A lot of acres were put under rice. Maize has not been harvested, but we estimate to reap about sh180million at sh500 per kilo,” says Bakaira. (In the picture: Bakaria with fellow farmers)

 For seed production, at the start of the season, members approach the association responsible organ to apply to produce seed. The site select committee then chooses those to participate in the planting, before the activity rolls on. Individual farmers manage their fields but crop monitoring is carried out by the executive committee to ensure standards.

“We do the harvesting communally in zonal groups and the amount produced by each farmer is recorded,” said Bakaira adding that after harvesting the maize and rice, the produce is taken to the head office for drying, shelling, processing and selling to various buyers.

In Bukedea, when a one Charles Omoding’s wife wanted to join Apoolo Na Angor, he opposed it on suspicion that she would run off with another man. But, with the training his wife received, she started changing their home environment for the better. Then one day Moses Aisia, the Apoolo Na Angor director visited their area for a meeting, which Omoding attended. That was his turning point. “I only heard good news and also decided to join the organization like my wife.”

Aisia, who is also the founder of Apoolo Na Angor, says the number of beneficiaries has increased since 2005. Since then, the women have been able to make fuel saving stoves, which is a major achievement of the organization. The innovator of the project, M Imalingat was even voted Woman Achiever 2007. The stoves are constructed in a way that they direct the smoke outwards such that one using it does not inhale the fumes. They also maximize heat. (In the picture right: Bakaira talking to a farmer and children)

According to the director, there is a plan to diversify the organization’s initiatives. For instance, they hope to prepare members to partner with other development entities so as to improve their productivity. “But, the organization will continue to play its catalyst role – sensitizing people about their roles and responsibilities. He states, for example that the organization has a lot of information on people living with HIV and they hope to impart it to beneficiaries and their partners.”

Aisia acknowledges that the development programmes, which they have so far undertaken, were still like treating symptoms. “But, we are looking forward to a holistic approach to the problem. Teso people have had their share of rebel insurgencies and natural calamities like floods and famine, but the organization has come in to enable them “to own their destiny.”

This, according to him, can be achieved through sensitization. “It is high time people held their leaders accountable. For example, the people of Tajar in Kolir sub-county lack good roads, which they badly need. But, the community has been asked to take on other projects other than their most immediate need,” he notes.

Further on, Apoolo Na Angor hopes to create an environment where members are helped to preserve their culture. He says, in olden days people had granaries where they stored their food and that ensured food security. However, these cultural ‘storehouses’ are non-existent today and this has led to persistent lack of food.

To Bakaira’s colleagues, the unpredictable rain and drought have caused loss, especially in rice production. “Harvesting and threshing are very labour intensive. Most of it is done manually.” She also laments the poor state of the drying, sorting and packaging facilities and equipment. Despite that, however, the association is hopeful that in future, the members will expand production and make the association a seed company.

“We have successfully appealed to NARO researchers to train us to produce our own seeds. The last trainings were in 2002, under NARO and CIMMTY with funding from Rockefeller Foundation,” Bakaira explains. These training have put the association in a better position to produce high quality seed for the women.