Potato Farmers Fight Poverty in Uganda
Stephen Tindimubona worked as a government extension assistant for 17 years. After the Ugandan government started implementing the Structural Adjustment Programs in 1990, a number of under-educated public servants, including Tindimubona, were removed from active public service with a retirement package of about $270. “The skies seemed to have fallen on my head,” Tindimubona said.
What happened to Tindimubona was common for many Ugandans. By the time Tindimubona reached his home village in the southwestern district of Kabale, his meager retirement package was spent. Out of necessity, he started farming potatoes and slowly adjusted to a new life. Because Kabale is known for potatoes, Tindimubona decided a potato farm was the best hope to feed his family of 12 and generate income to send his children to school. However, seed quality is a common problem in the community, leading to frustrations for Tindimubona and a number of his fellow retirees in the village. To attempt to remedy the situation, they formed an association but realized they needed technical assistance to take the business to the next level.
Tindimubona learned about ACDI/VOCA’s USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer (FtF) volunteer program, which enhances food security and market-access opportunities, from a local women’s organization who received support in mushroom growing and marketing. With the program’s help, he and the farmers created and registered the Uganda National Seed Potato Producers’ Association (UNSPPA). However, UNSPPA continued to suffer from low potato productivity among members due to over-cultivated soils and low input use.
To better serve its members, the association requested the assistance of ACDI/VOCA volunteer Philip Morrow. Based on his recommendations, UNSPPA formed the Farmer’s Center to streamline the association’s operations and conduct its business. To increase business and benefits for members, the center provides training, engages in potato trade and provides competitive transport and shipping services. As a result, the member farmers earn greater net incomes.
UNSPPA is now the leading grower and seller of potato seed in the region. The first communal seed harvest netted each member $12.50. Currently, each member is able to share an equivalent of $48.50 in the first season and $33.70 in the second season. They are also currently commanding approximately 50 percent market share of potatoes. Because of the improved potato seed, production per acre of potato among the UNSPPA has increased from the original 15 bags of harvested potatoes per acre to 70-100 bags per acre.
The increased production has stabilized prices and improved availability of potatoes, thus improving the community’s nutrition. Tindimubona now owns a house in the village and is respected as the head of an organization that is conducting progressive business to enable farmers to develop their economic opportunities through partnership and creating a better product.