FROM STORIES TO REALITY: WOMEN FARMERS ADOPT BEST PRACTICES FOR HIGHER YIELDS

In Butolakom village, Katum sub-county in Lamwo District, lives Auma Florence, a 65-year-old woman chairperson of Mak-Mukemi Women Group. Once a subsistence farmer, Florence’s life has been transformed. She attributed this to the mentorship programs conducted by UWONET in partnership with horizont3000 and ODOWOL a District Women’s Network in Lamwo district. The mentorship is part of the different initiatives under the project titled “Strengthening women’s land rights for economic empowerment and agency”

UWONET supported women farmers with seed capital following a learning exchange at National Crops Resource Research Institute (NaCRRI), to enhance women farmers applicability skills in their home gardens respectively. The practical sessions by women farmers at the individual level were met with challenges of prolonged drought, excess rainfall and poor seed selection in different areas hence affecting their yields.

In a drive to equip women farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge for improved farming practices. UWONET conducted mentorship sessions in 2025 on; enterprise and seed selection, pest control, post harvest handling, value additions and financial management facilitated by an agriculture extension worker.

As a result, six out of nine women farmer groups in Lamwo District, including Mak-Mukemi, selected soybeans as their preferred crop. Their decision was guided by key benefits of soybean farming including;

• High yeilds, drought and pest resistant
• Natural weed control
• Faster maturity period and easy to harvest

Florence’s group planted Mak Soya 6N, a drought-tolerant variety. “We followed the new methods such as planting in straight lines and weeding after two weeks from planting time. This was never the case before. The Soya is now healthier, and I expect more produce than before,” Florence said with a smile.

Community Role Model

Ms. Auma Florence and her fellow group members have become role models in their community. In line with UWONET’s work approach to promote peer learning and sustainability, the group has actively shared the knowledge they gained with other farmers in Agulugwete Parish, Lamwo District. They have trained fellow women in best practices such as line planting and the importance of timely weeding, specifically two weeks after planting to help control pests and improve crop health. “We were encouraged to share what we learned. So, we taught other groups how to weed on time and plant in straight lines to reduce pests,” she said. “My biggest motivation is seeing other women succeed too. I want them to know they can do it with support and hard work.” She added.

In the face of challenges lies resilience

Despite the gains, Ms Florence narrates that the journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Prolonged drought delayed crop germination even for drought-tolerant soybeans. The group also struggled with:

• Low member participation during crucial periods like weeding
• Destruction of crops by animals
• Limited funds to hire oxen for ploughing larger plots

“It wasn’t easy, but we worked together. Even when some members didn’t show up, the rest of us kept going,” Florence said. “We’ve learned that working together and planting on time really makes a difference,” she concluded.