Ekinyu takes town life to the village
Sep 13, 2011
BY GODFREY OJORE
My Journey: Eugene Ekinyu
He makes popcorn out of sorghum
After several years of working as a leather technician with Jinja-based Uganda Leather Tanning Industry, Eugene Ekinyu decided to return to the village and become a full-time farmer. The decision attracted a lot of criticism from villagers who doubted if Ekinyu would adjust to rural poverty after tasting urban affluence.
Ekinyu vowed to work hard and make enough money to continue enjoying the amenities associated with an urban lifestyle. Twenty-seven years later, Ekinyu is living a comfortable life, much better than the one he was living as a leather technician.
The 54-year-old is one of the most successful farmers in Abuket village, Yere sub-county, Serere district, growing improved varieties of sweet potatoes, cassava and Epuripur sorghum.
Beginnings
“It took me over 20 years to start earning big from farming. After resigning from my job, I started farming with nothing except determination,†recalls Ekinyu.
He spent all his savings from his previous job on bride price for his wife Christine Akello, another decision that earned Ekinyu more criticism from his villagemates, who thought he had not set his priorities right.
Ekinyu, however, has no regrets for investing in a wife, who has given him seven children.
Achievements
Several organisations buy cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines from Ekinyu to distribute to farmers in different parts of the country.
The model farmer has travelled widely in Africa and beyond, sharing his experience with fellow farmers on how to make money from farming.
In 2006, Ekinyu founded Rural Farm Initiative, a non-profit organisation, through which he trains farmers in his community to become more productive.
“There is nothing miraculous about my achievements. I have managed to excel in farming because of the knowledge I got from attending a farmer field training school conducted by Food and Agricultural organisation (FAO) in 2000,†Ekinyu says as he shows his certificate.
He produces six tonnes of cassava flour every season, which he sells to biscuit makers Britannia and several bakeries in Soroti and neighbouring towns.
He sells a 100kg bag of cassava flour at sh75,000. He also makes popcorn out of Epuripur, which he sells in supermarkets in eastern Uganda.
From potatoes he makes crisps.
“When I combine the earnings from selling all these products and the allowance I am paid each time I fly out of the country to make a presentation, I bag sh50m a year,†reveals Ekinyu.
With a steady income from his farming enterprises, three of Ekinyu’s children have graduated from university, while the rest are in secondary school
Ekinyu’s home is the only one in the village with a tiled roof and a solar panel.
The model farmer built his first house with money from selling sweet potatoes. As his family expanded, he left the house to his children.
Last year, he built a bigger one where he now lives.
According to him, the secret to success in farming is endurance. “There are a number of challenges in farming, but you need to be patient,†he says.
Challenges
“The major challenge in Teso is erratic climatic changes. I cannot irrigate my crops because my hands are tied economically,†Ekinyu says.
Lack of modern farming tools, pests and diseases are among other challenges that affect the smooth flow of his farming activities.
Ekinyu plans to educate people in Teso to embark on modern methods of farming.
“I will be happy to see Teso regain its lost glory of being the country’s food basket. It is a shame for Iteso to cry for relief yet we have fertile soils,†Ekinyu says.
FARM ALBUM
Name: Eugene Ekinyu
LOCATION: Abuket village, Kyere sub-county Serere district
enterprises: Crop production
WINNING FORMULA: Determination and endurance
My Journey: Eugene Ekinyu
He makes popcorn out of sorghum
After several years of working as a leather technician with Jinja-based Uganda Leather Tanning Industry, Eugene Ekinyu decided to return to the village and become a full-time farmer. The decision attracted a lot of criticism from villagers who doubted if Ekinyu would adjust to rural poverty after tasting urban affluence.
Ekinyu vowed to work hard and make enough money to continue enjoying the amenities associated with an urban lifestyle. Twenty-seven years later, Ekinyu is living a comfortable life, much better than the one he was living as a leather technician.
The 54-year-old is one of the most successful farmers in Abuket village, Yere sub-county, Serere district, growing improved varieties of sweet potatoes, cassava and Epuripur sorghum.
Beginnings
“It took me over 20 years to start earning big from farming. After resigning from my job, I started farming with nothing except determination,†recalls Ekinyu.
He spent all his savings from his previous job on bride price for his wife Christine Akello, another decision that earned Ekinyu more criticism from his villagemates, who thought he had not set his priorities right.
Ekinyu, however, has no regrets for investing in a wife, who has given him seven children.
Achievements
Several organisations buy cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines from Ekinyu to distribute to farmers in different parts of the country.
The model farmer has travelled widely in Africa and beyond, sharing his experience with fellow farmers on how to make money from farming.
In 2006, Ekinyu founded Rural Farm Initiative, a non-profit organisation, through which he trains farmers in his community to become more productive.
“There is nothing miraculous about my achievements. I have managed to excel in farming because of the knowledge I got from attending a farmer field training school conducted by Food and Agricultural organisation (FAO) in 2000,†Ekinyu says as he shows his certificate.
He produces six tonnes of cassava flour every season, which he sells to biscuit makers Britannia and several bakeries in Soroti and neighbouring towns.
He sells a 100kg bag of cassava flour at sh75,000. He also makes popcorn out of Epuripur, which he sells in supermarkets in eastern Uganda.
From potatoes he makes crisps.
“When I combine the earnings from selling all these products and the allowance I am paid each time I fly out of the country to make a presentation, I bag sh50m a year,†reveals Ekinyu.
With a steady income from his farming enterprises, three of Ekinyu’s children have graduated from university, while the rest are in secondary school
Ekinyu’s home is the only one in the village with a tiled roof and a solar panel.
The model farmer built his first house with money from selling sweet potatoes. As his family expanded, he left the house to his children.
Last year, he built a bigger one where he now lives.
According to him, the secret to success in farming is endurance. “There are a number of challenges in farming, but you need to be patient,†he says.
Challenges
“The major challenge in Teso is erratic climatic changes. I cannot irrigate my crops because my hands are tied economically,†Ekinyu says.
Lack of modern farming tools, pests and diseases are among other challenges that affect the smooth flow of his farming activities.
Ekinyu plans to educate people in Teso to embark on modern methods of farming.
“I will be happy to see Teso regain its lost glory of being the country’s food basket. It is a shame for Iteso to cry for relief yet we have fertile soils,†Ekinyu says.
FARM ALBUM
Name: Eugene Ekinyu
LOCATION: Abuket village, Kyere sub-county Serere district
enterprises: Crop production
WINNING FORMULA: Determination and endurance