FARMING & EATING
In Uganda, if you don't farm, you don't eat. Without land, the Batwa were forced to beg for food daily. Often families did not eat for days. Batwa children show signs of severe food insecurity. 40% of Batwa children don't live to age 5. Since PLANT FRUIT began serving the Batwa of Kisoro Hill in 2022 we have provided farm land and organic farming education. Since the first harvest in August, 2022 the Batwa have been planting, growing and harvesting food on leased land. The land lease and organic farming program was nearly self-sustaining after only 18 months. More land is needed to provide food all year round. Could you help?
HARVEST = FOOD
The first harvest only 12 individuals came out to help take in the potatoes from the field. There was no trust in the system, no way for the tribe to know we would not make them work and keep the food. Now, after several successful seasons, the entire tribe shows up to harvest, and take part in the bounty. Our 1-2-3 program teaches them to PLANT 1, EAT 1, & SELL 1 creating a sustained cycle of organic farming, where the tribe can feed itself.
PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE
Learning organic farming means planting with care, and using only organic seed or seed potatoes. The Batwa have learned to set aside 1/3 of the crop to create seed for the future. The seed is stored at PLANT FRUIT School For Practical Arts. 1/3 of the crops are sold with the help of PLANT FRUIT volunteers.
Beans & Cabbage
The Batwa choose their crops with help from PLANT FRUIT volunteers. Pole Beans are often planted. A bumper crop of cabbage was harvested, January 2024
Corn & Potatoes
While having posho is a regular part of life for most Ugandan's, it is a welcome luxury to have corn in the Batwa community. At each harvest, all of the food is shared among all 54 families. Women conduct the sorting process to insure each individual will eat. Bags of potatoes await transport to the community under the watchful eye of the chief.
