Workshop Report: Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP)

 

Building a Strong Foundation

Day 1: 

Date: 20-22

Location: Alocho Soroti District Eastern Region Uganda

Host and implementing organization Destiny Community Development (DECODI)

As the sun peeked over the horizon, I found myself amidst a group of eager farmers at the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) workshop. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the scent of freshly turned soil filled my nostrils. Here’s a glimpse of what unfolded:

1. Mindset Change in Farmers

The facilitator. Hunter, the Executive President and Founder of Farmer’s Pride International,a seasoned agricultural expert, stood before us. Participants' eyes crinkled with wisdom as they spoke about mindset change. We gathered in a church building, wooden benches were our chairs. The topics covered were profound:

• Overcoming Challenges: The facilitator shared stories of farmers who turned adversity into opportunity. I scribbled notes, realizing that setbacks were merely stepping stones.
• Embracing Innovation: “Innovation isn’t just about gadgets,” the facilitator said. “It’s about openness to new ideas,” I vowed to keep my mind fertile, ready for seeds of innovation.
• Fostering a Growth Mindset: “You’re never too old to learn,” they emphasized. I nodded, feeling the weight of those words. Learning was my superpower.

2. Time Management in Farmers

Time—the elusive resource. We huddled in a circle, our faces earnest. The facilitator’s voice carried across the field:

• Prioritization: I thought of my daily tasks—planting, tending, and marketing. Each deserved its slice of my day. I’d prioritize like a seasoned conductor leading an orchestra.
• Planning: A schedule became my lifeline. I’d wake up early, tend to the crops, allocate time for family, and rest. Efficiency was my goal.
• Avoiding Time-Wasting Activities: No more endless chats by the well. I’d guard my time like a precious seedling.

3. Benefits of Potato Farming

Potatoes—the unsung heroes of our fields. The facilitator’s eyes sparkled as they spoke:

• Commercial Benefits: The economic advantages of potato cultivation danced before us. Market demand, income generation—it was more than just digging in the dirt.
• Health Benefits: Who knew these humble tubers were packed with vitamins? I vowed to eat more myself, nourishing both body and soul.
• Case Studies: The USA potato farming sector fascinated me. Jobs created, communities sustained—it was a symphony of spuds.

4. Products from Potatoes

Beyond mashed potatoes and fries, there was a world of possibilities:

• Chips and Crisps: I imagined my own small factory, turning spuds into crispy delights. The crunch echoed my newfound enthusiasm.
• Starch and Flour: Industrial applications—textiles, paper, gluten-free baking. My mind buzzed with ideas.

5. Introduction to Potato Farming

Containers, soil types, and varieties—I soaked it all in:

• Containers and Soil Types: Could I try grow bags? Or stick to the open field? The choice was mine, like selecting a canvas for my masterpiece.
• Varieties, Colors, and Types: Potatoes weren’t just brown; they came in a rainbow. I wondered which would thrive in my soil.
• Generations: Seeds had their lineage too. I’d pay attention to generations for better yields.

6. Care and Management

Profit and loss—my reality:

• Production Cost and Profits: Balancing expenses—seeds, fertilizers, labor—with potential income. I’d crunch the numbers like a seasoned accountant.
• Planting Methods via Videos: The screen flickered, showing hands gently placing seed potatoes. I mimicked the motion, feeling the earth’s pulse.
• Plant Protection, Fertilizer Application, Pest Control, Harvesting, Grading: My notebook filled with tips. IPM was my new mantra.

7. End-of-Day Assignment

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we were taught how to Create potato crisps. The following day we would bring our  sliced, fried crunchy products to be tasted. The crunch echoed my newfound enthusiasm.

And so ended Day 1—a whirlwind of knowledge, camaraderie, and spud-inspired dreams. Tomorrow, we’d venture into open fields theory training. But for now, I savoured the taste of success—one crispy chip at a time. 

Day 2: Scaling Up with Open Field Potato Farming

As the sun climbed higher, we stepped onto the soil—the heartbeat of our livelihoods. The dew-soaked grass clung to our boots, and a sense of purpose enveloped us. Here’s what unfolded:

1. Introduction to Open Field Potato Farming

Hunter the facilitator, a seasoned agricultural expert, stood before us. Their voice carried across the field, blending with the rustling leaves:

• Bill of Quantities: I scribbled notes as the facilitator explained how to estimate costs. Seeds, fertilizers, labor—it all mattered. I vowed to keep meticulous records, like an accountant balancing the farm’s ledger.
• Cost of Production and Profits: The math was straightforward but eye-opening. How much would I invest? What could I reap? I calculated my potential returns, imagining each tuber as a golden coin.
• Land Preparations, Manure, and Fertilization: The soil was our canvas. We learned about soil testing, ploughing, and leveling. And oh, the magic of organic manure and fertiliser! It was like feeding the earth’s soul.

2. Potato Life Cycle

Potatoes had their own rhythm—a dance of growth and tuber formation:

• Watering Strategies: The facilitator emphasized timing. Too much water during flowering? Tubers would sulk. Too little during bulking? They’d rebel. I vowed to be the conductor of this water symphony, orchestrating life underground.
• Biosecurity Measures: Disease and pests lurked. We discussed:
• Crop Rotation: A waltz of crops to keep pests guessing. I imagined my fields as a grand ballroom.
• Sanitation: Clearing debris to prevent infections. It was like sweeping away cobwebs from a hidden treasure.
• Pesticides and Their Effects: The facilitator held up a bottle. “Handle with care,” they said. I nodded. Safe and effective—my mantra. I’d protect my potato kingdom.

3. Care and Harvest

The potato journey neared its climax:

• Value Addition Videos: On the screen, potatoes transformed. Chips, fries, gnocchi—I watched, hungry for knowledge. Each dish was a brushstroke on my culinary canvas.
• Workshop Evaluation: We huddled, pens poised. What did we learn? What could improve? I scribbled my thoughts, grateful for this community of learners. Our collective wisdom was our greatest harvest.

And so, Day 2 unfolded—a symphony of soil, water, and spuds. Tomorrow, we’d get our hands dirty—open field practicals awaited. But for now, I stood on the edge of possibility, ready to dive deeper into the earth’s secrets. 🌾🥔

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Day 3: Practical Application and Workshop Conclusion

As the sun climbed higher, we stepped onto the soil—the heartbeat of our livelihoods. The dew-soaked grass clung to our boots, and a sense of purpose enveloped us. Here’s what unfolded:

1. Open Field and Grow Bags Potato Farming Practicals

The field stretched before us, a canvas waiting for our strokes. We shed our jackets, ready to get our hands dirty. The facilitator, sleeves rolled up, led the way:

• Hands-On Sessions:
• Open Field Cultivation:
• Land Preparation: We cleared the land, ploughed, and levelled. The soil crumbled under my fingers, promising fertility. I thought of generations before me, tilling this same earth.
• Seed Planting: I knelt, placing seed potatoes with care. Proper spacing, just like the videos showed. Each tuber nestled into the soil, a promise of future harvests.
• Hilling: Mounds rose around each plant, cocooning the tubers. I imagined them growing, swelling beneath the earth.
• Irrigation: Water danced from my can, quenching thirsty roots. I vowed to be their lifeline.

 

• Grow Bags (Container Gardening):
• Selecting Containers: Sacks, bags, tires—each had its charm. I chose grow bags, their dark fabric cradling my hopes. Portable gardens, ready to move with the sun.
• Soil Mix: I blended soil, compost, and a dash of anticipation. The mix felt right, like a secret recipe passed down through generations.
• Planting in Grow Bags: Seed potatoes nestled in their portable homes. I imagined them cozy, whispering stories to each other.
• Watering and Fertilization: I vowed to nourish them like my own children. Water, nutrients—the essentials of life.

2. Workshop Conclusion

As the sun dipped low, we gathered one last time. The air hummed with knowledge shared, friendships forged. But there was more:

1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
• Encourage farmers to adopt IPM practices:
• Crop Rotation: A waltz of crops to keep pests guessing. I imagined my fields as a grand ballroom, each partner playing its role.
• Beneficial Insects: Ladybugs, lacewings—the unsung heroes of pest control.
• Sanitation: Clearing debris, sweeping away hiding spots. Disease prevention, one broom stroke at a time.
2. Biosecurity Measures:
• Highlight the importance of biosecurity:
• Quarantine: Inspect seed tubers to prevent disease introduction. A passport check for our spuds.
• Isolation: Separate new seed from existing crops. Social distancing for plants.
• Hygiene: Disinfect tools and equipment. Our farm’s immune system.
3. Pesticide Safety:
• Educate farmers on safe pesticide use:
• Read Labels: Follow instructions carefully. Pesticides had their own language.
• Protective Gear: Wear appropriate clothing. Shield against chemical storms.
• Application Timing: Apply during the right growth stages. Timing was everything.
4. Value Addition:
• Beyond fresh potatoes, explore chips, starch, and flour. My spuds would wear many hats—culinary chameleons.
• Teach processing techniques: Slice, fry, bake—the alchemy of transformation.
5. Record Keeping:
• Stress the importance of maintaining records:
• Inputs: Track seed varieties, fertilizers, and pesticides used. Our farm’s memoir.
• Yield: Measure harvest quantities. The ledger of abundance.
• Expenses and Income: Understand profitability. Our financial compass.
6. Market Linkages:
• Connect farmers to markets:
• Local Buyers: Establish relationships. Handshakes over crates of spuds.
• Cooperatives: Join forces for better bargaining power. Unity in abundance.
• Processing Companies: Explore partnerships. Our potatoes, their magic.

And so, the RUAIPP workshop ended—a tapestry of knowledge, sweat, and earth-stained hands. Tomorrow, I’d wake up to a field transformed—a canvas painted with green shoots. But for now, I stood on the edge of possibility, ready to sow dreams. 🌾🥔

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Thank you, DECODI, fellow farmers, and this fertile land. May our harvests be bountiful, our hearts resilient. 🙌🏽🌟

 

My name is Blessing Zadzagomo: Country Coordinator, Zimbabwe writing from Uganda