LILLY Opinya Okello, a devoted mother of nine, illustrates how sustainable farming can transform lives.
With support from the We Live II Project, she has adopted kitchen gardening techniques, resulting in improved health, nutrition, and economic opportunities for her family. Her story highlights resilience and the positive impact of community-driven agriculture.
Lilly Opinya Okello is a member of the Omakicing Women’s Group in Aoranga village, Amolatar District. Lilly has been a farmer since childhood as she comes from a farming family. In her current home, she has relied on farming for over 30 years, primarily for food and to generate income during difficult times.
Just like any other farmer, Lilly faced many challenges. With a large family to feed, Lilly strives hard to feed children and diversify their diet. Since the introduction of the We Live II Project, households involved have changed their farming techniques and learned how to produce food during the difficult times of floods and drought. Lilly told us of her gratitude for the project’s educational component, and she acknowledges the project’s role in equipping them with vital competencies.
The kitchen garden approach has eased access to vegetables for many households and their knowledge about the consumption of fresh and high nutrient-dense vegetables. As a result of incorporating vegetables into their diet regularly, Lilly’s household has experienced notable improvements in health and nutrition. Besides food, Lilly grows vegetables for sale in the nearby markets.
Lilly said:
“I have been a farmer throughout my life, mainly growing rice, maize, beans, groundnuts, cassava, and sweet potatoes. First, I have been practising subsistence farming and took farming as a tradition. I did not have any proper planning in farming and had inadequate knowledge, especially of modern farming techniques. Secondly, we are faced with challenges such as drought and floods, which negatively affect crop yields, and as a result, I always have a shortage of food in my house.
“For diet, we occasionally consumed fish, beef, homegrown chicken, and vegetables. However, due to financial constraints, our dietary options become limited. We change our diet thrice a month, mostly vegetables like cowpeas, pumpkin leaves, dodo, malakwang, and eggplants, which we grow in small quantities and many times buy from the market. When the project was introduced, we learned about the construction of kitchen gardens, the different vegetables to grow, and their management in the garden. We learned about the different food values of various vegetables and their importance in maintaining good health among household members. I believe this has been the driver for our group members to adopt the kitchen garden approach.
“Before the project’s intervention, we consumed vegetables only once a week, primarily due to their limited availability and inadequate knowledge about their nutritional benefits. We mostly ate vegetables during the rainy season. Today, I have my kitchen garden, which I constructed strictly for vegetable production, and it has constantly provided vegetables for food. We now consume fresh vegetables thrice a week. Because of constantly eating vegetables, we don’t experience nutrient deficiency-related diseases. I see my children are also looking healthier than before because of the balanced diet that we have at home.
“I have seen an opportunity in onions, and I have dedicated one kitchen garden for it. These will be for home consumption, but the bulk of it is for sale. The income from the sale of the onions will be used to buy household needs like soap, salt, sugar, and other foods.
“I want to thank ACSET Uganda for bringing the We Live II project, and the donor for supporting the project implementation. We have seen positive impacts on our lives, and we know that we will continue to achieve more in our households. I appreciate all the effort you are putting towards impacting our lives. We request that you continue to give us more knowledge and skills to thrive in these difficult times of the world.”
Lilly’s journey illustrates the profound impact that sustainable farming practices can have on improving health, nutrition, and livelihoods. By incorporating new techniques like kitchen gardens and understanding the value of nutrient-rich foods, Lilly’s family now enjoys a healthier and more secure life. The skills learned through the ‘We Live II’ project not only empowered her to feed her family better but also created economic opportunities. With ongoing support and education, farmers like Lilly are poised to thrive, even in the face of challenges like climate change.
- Nabin Pokharel and Jaspher Ewany
