Kafuko quit teaching to thrive in agriculture

Frustrated, Herbert Kafuko quit his teaching job at Bukatabira Primary School in Malongo sub-county in Luuka district. The year was 2010. He would get a monthly salary of sh200,000 from his teaching job. But his earnings meant the father of four could not sufficiently provide for his family, including paying school fees.

Farming was his next best option.

Kafuko, a resident of Bukahanga-Bukodi village, Bukahanga sub-county in Luuka district, has a diploma in secondary education from National Teachers' College, Luuka.

"I opted for agriculture because I have seen so many successful farmers who have reaped millions out of maize."

He says someone invited him for training in farming at Bukahanga sub-county headquarters. He was one of 40 people who benefitted from the training conducted by Uganda Value Added Maize Alliance (UVAMA).

The two-week workshop was in modern maize farming. It involved site selection, land preparation, seed selection, among others.

After the training, he says he planted maize on four acres of land. He harvested about 6,000kg of maize, which earned him over sh3.5m in the first season.

He says the farmers were taught post-harvest handling, weed control, pest control, seed selection, planting in lines and proper storage system, which has increased their profits.

"I have trained over 30 people in our community on the new improved methods of planting maize. In my group, we have also introduced a new system of selling maize flour instead of grain in order to yield more profits," says the teacher-turned-farmer.

Charles Mulagwe is a project director at UVAMA.

He says over 7000 farmers in Busoga region have acquired new skills and knowledge in post-harvest handling of maize.

"We came up with this free training because most of the farmers in the region have big acres of land; they are not venturing in agriculture as a business."

Currently, Kafuko is doing a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration at Busoga University.

Farmers in Namutumba district shelling maize using a shelling machine. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)