Urban farming is a household’s saving magic

By Jackie Nalubwama

KAMPALA - Harriet Nakabaale of Camp Green says urban farming is the reason behind her success.

In a training workshop at Vision Group’s Harvest Money Expo 2025, she said urban farming improves a household’s income because homeowners save the money they would have spent on daily groceries.

She said people should grow vegetables according to their home’s needs so as to reduce their grocery bill.

In a training workshop at Vision Group’s Harvest Money Expo 2025, Nakabaale said urban farming improves a household’s income because homeowners save the money they would have spent on daily groceries. (All Photos by Miriam Namutebi)

“Even if you are renting, you can carry out urban farming. I used to rent, but my verandah used to have onions, tomatoes, and nakati because I grew up with those in our home,” she said. In a passionate plea, Nakabaale said, “Please teach the children to grow food because I too learnt by observing what happened in my home as a child. Even my children are trainers.”

To those who are averse to agriculture because they don’t want to get their hands dirty, Nakabaale said she has gained a lot from urban farming.

“Please farm because my hands get dirty, and when I wash them, there is a plane ticket waiting for me. Because of farming, I have been able to travel.” Nakabaale, who is an organic farmer and believes in organic solutions as opposed to pesticides, advised the audience to make their own organic pesticide.

“Get ash, pepper of any kind, garlic, neem leaves, marigold, or tobacco and make a solution with 10 litres of water. Cover it tightly for 10 days, sieve it, and cover it tightly,” she said.

In detail, she gave the following proportions:

1. 10 litres of water
2. 2 handfuls of ash
3. 20 cloves of garlic or 3 bulbs of garlic
4. 2 kg of neem leaves or marigold or 7 leaves of tobacco.
   
   

She added, “When spraying, we need a cup of water and one cup of pesticide. Spray well by checking behind the leaves because some insects hide behind the leaves.”

Sponsored by Engsol, aBi, Uganda Development Corporation, Kingdom of Netherlands, Pepsi, Bella Wine, and Tunga Nutrition, attendees parted with sh10,000 as entrance fees and sh10,000 for a training workshop.