Tooro farmer tips on harvesting 'gold' from banana plantations

When John Kusemererwa of Rwengaaju sub-county in Kabarole district got 600 banana suckers in 2018 from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), he was determined to improve his source of income through investing both time and energy in the ‘green gold'.

Slowly, Kusemererwa set out on a step-by-step journey around his 1.5-acre piece of land.

Two years later, he is all smiles after resting assured that every bunch from his plantation will fetch him at least sh10,000.

When we visited him at his home, Kusemererwa proudly took us around his plantation.

"I don't want to tell you about my bananas, let them speak for themselves," Kusemererwa said as he led the way to the bananas.

"From the first season, I would harvest 60 bunches per month. Later, it jumped to 120 bunches and now I harvest 150 on a monthly basis," he said. The 150 bunches translate into sh1.5m - monthly income. 

"My family will never sleep on an empty stomach for the next many years to come. At least I eat what has been felled by the wind," he adds.

Kusemererwa says this has, however, not come on a silver platter. There is a need for hard work and care if one is to benefit from supplies delivered by OWC.

"For them (OWC) what they do is deliver quality seed. How you use it - care for it and maintain it is in your hands," he says.

Kusemererwa mainly has improved local variety of matooke, including Mutuule, Mbwa ziruma and Kibuzi. 

Kusemererwa also prides in following President Yoweri Museveni closely when it comes to his messages on poverty eradication. 

He employs a few youths who come around depending on the needs of the plantation. However, Kusemererwa says most youths want to spend their time engaged in drinking alcohol instead of working.

"Working hard starts now if one is to save for the future. As age advances, you won't have enough time to work and create wealth," he says as he leads us to yet another venture of his that he started off following the President's gospel on poverty eradication.

"Now let's go and check on Joyce," Kusemererwa says as he points to a small farm.

This is when it dawns on us that Joyce is a beautiful heifer that Kusemererwa received in 2018. Although he has not yet started reaping from it, he says it's weeks away from giving birth.

"I expect to get some good milk from Joyce because I have really been feeding her well," Kusemererwa says.

He adds that apart from selling milk, he will improve his family's diet because they will be consuming the nutritious milk.

Quick statistics

According to the coordinator of OWC in Kabarole, Lt. Col. Rubaale Kajwara, they have distributed 580 in-calf dairy heifers of 75% Frisian, Guernsey, Jersey or aryshire since 2016.

OWC has also been able to distribute 17,159 plantlets under the banana tissue culture. It is under this same project that Kusemererwa has been able to upgrade his income.

"I would like to thank the President for endlessly encouraging us to go out in the gardens and work hard so that we can improve our incomes," Kuesemererwa says.

"For those who want to pick a lesson or two, my farm is open. Let them come and learn a thing or two and change their lives," he said.