Agriculture Around the World

Today I went to visit a local farmer named John Ssentongo, but people call him Mzze (which is a term of respect for elders). My new Peace Corps friend, JP, has been working closely with him for the past year. JP was assigned to Uganda as a health volunteer, but before he left an acquaintance handed him a pillowcase stuffed with seed packets. He told the man he was going to be a health worker and would have no use for the seeds. However, this man insisted “The people over there don’t have any food. They will need these seeds—just take them.” So he smuggled the pillowcase of seeds onto the plane. How ironic it is that once he arrives in Uganda, the health projects he was prepared to work on did not pan out.

One day he encountered this farmer and developed a friendship with him. Mzze was actually very open minded about planting exotic varieties of seeds, like bok choy and basil (not exactly staples of the Ugandan diet). And although some things they’ve planted have not thrived in the tropical climate, others have done quite well. He is such an interesting man to talk with, as it is somewhat unusual for a Ugandan farmer to depart from growing the standard cash crops of coffee, matooke (green bananas) or peanuts. His farm is about five acres, which is considered very large here, and he waters all his crops with one watering can, since there is not really an irrigation system in place in most of the country.

Mzze is extremely concerned with sustainable agriculture and improving health and nutrition in the community. He donates a lot of seedlings he grows to schools so the children can take them home to their families. He told me he feels that if he can help to improve the health and state of his neighbors then eventually the village will improve then the whole district, and ultimately the entire county. Nutrition here is very poor, as the primary foods people eat are matooke or a corn meal mixture called posho. While people (especially children) may not go hungry on a daily basis, they can still be malnourished. I see many children at the school where I work with large distended bellies, which is not surprising when they rarely get any protein in their diet. Also, things like fruits or avocados (which are all readily available) are thought of as candy; a treat for children rather than a vital source of nutrients. Every morning, though, Mzze makes his grandchildren eat one avocado before going to school.

The plan is to turn the property into a demonstration farm to teach people, specifically vulnerable populations (like the elderly or those with debilitating diseases), about alternatives farming practices and making the most out of a small amount of space. They showed me an innovative way of cultivating cabbage; it was a large mound that you fill with fertilizer (manure) and then simply water through a hole in the top, which eliminates the need to bend down. This district of Uganda has been devastated by the AIDS epidemic. The majority of people you see in the village are either children or seniors; much of the middle generation (the primary workforce) has been wiped out by AIDS. This leaves many grandparents left to care and provide for their young grandchildren or other orphaned relatives. Mzze’s demonstration farm will hopefully ease this burden, at least a little.

Mzze is a remarkable man, and I am glad I had the opportunity to meet him and see his farm. He sent me home with a huge bag of the biggest avocados I have seen I my life and a bundle of collard greens. (I will definitely be making some awesome guacamole this week!)

…The whole time I couldn’t help but think how interesting my grandparents would find all of this.

Also, here is a link to a blog with more info about the farm:
http://www.childrenssurehouse.blogspot.com/