Ex-cop mints money from tree nursery
HIS low education level and limited knowledge on agriculture did not deter him from initiating a nursery bed project to support his family. Sam Okori, a former police officer and a resident of Aweikwo village in Oyam district now earns sh8m annually out of the project being carried out on one-and-a
By Patrick okino
HIS low education level and limited knowledge on agriculture did not deter him from initiating a nursery bed project to support his family. Sam Okori, a former police officer and a resident of Aweikwo village in Oyam district now earns sh8m annually out of the project being carried out on one-and-a half acres of land near Loro Trading Centre.
Okori started the nursery two years ago as an experiment, and it turned out to be a major income generating venture for his family. “I started by planting pine but after generating some income I decided to bring in different varieties of seedlings and fruits,†Okori says.
In his nursery, Okori has planted over 10,000 pine, avocado, passion fruits, orange, mango and jack fruit. He sells each at a cost of sh3,000. “My business booms between April and June,†says the former Police instructor, adding that non-governmental organisations, individuals and government officials make up his customers.
“I never went to school to study agricuture, but I am training myself on the job,†adds Okori who deserted the Police in 1985 after Gen. Tito Okello overthrew Milton Obote’s government.
After leaving the Police, Okori decided to concentrate on subsistence farming. With the hands-on knowledge he acquired from his day-to-day work, after starting the project, Okori now trains other people on how to bud and graft seedlings at the nursery before transplanting them.
Okori says officials from the National Agricultural Advisory Services have requested him to supply orange seedlings. However his stock is not enough. Okori has bought two cows using the money he got from the project, besides paying school fees for his five children at Dr Obote College and King James Comprehensive in Lira town.
One of his children, Okullu Lakana is about to complete S.4, Lazarus Ogole is in S.3, while Amuge Nimpa, Olwota Aron and Aceng Naume are still in primary. Okori received a donation of agricultural tools that included wheelbarrows, racks, spade and hoes to boost his production from different humanitarian agencies.
HIS low education level and limited knowledge on agriculture did not deter him from initiating a nursery bed project to support his family. Sam Okori, a former police officer and a resident of Aweikwo village in Oyam district now earns sh8m annually out of the project being carried out on one-and-a half acres of land near Loro Trading Centre.
Okori started the nursery two years ago as an experiment, and it turned out to be a major income generating venture for his family. “I started by planting pine but after generating some income I decided to bring in different varieties of seedlings and fruits,†Okori says.
In his nursery, Okori has planted over 10,000 pine, avocado, passion fruits, orange, mango and jack fruit. He sells each at a cost of sh3,000. “My business booms between April and June,†says the former Police instructor, adding that non-governmental organisations, individuals and government officials make up his customers.
“I never went to school to study agricuture, but I am training myself on the job,†adds Okori who deserted the Police in 1985 after Gen. Tito Okello overthrew Milton Obote’s government.
After leaving the Police, Okori decided to concentrate on subsistence farming. With the hands-on knowledge he acquired from his day-to-day work, after starting the project, Okori now trains other people on how to bud and graft seedlings at the nursery before transplanting them.
Okori says officials from the National Agricultural Advisory Services have requested him to supply orange seedlings. However his stock is not enough. Okori has bought two cows using the money he got from the project, besides paying school fees for his five children at Dr Obote College and King James Comprehensive in Lira town.
One of his children, Okullu Lakana is about to complete S.4, Lazarus Ogole is in S.3, while Amuge Nimpa, Olwota Aron and Aceng Naume are still in primary. Okori received a donation of agricultural tools that included wheelbarrows, racks, spade and hoes to boost his production from different humanitarian agencies.