Serina Sunday, Uganda

I took over the management of a 2-acre cocoa farm from my late husband. I did not know how to tend to the crop and this resulted in pest and disease invasions. I harvested 300kgs and earned CHF 416 in my first year. In 2017, I attended a meeting organised by the Inclusive Markets Uganda Project and joined Kyabitundu Cocoa Women’s Group, where I participated in monthly farmer field school training sessions on good agronomic practices. I acquired skills in pest and disease control, crop hygiene and proper harvesting practices. I used this knowledge to tend to my cocoa garden and it was not long before I reaped positive results. I increased my production to 900kgs and my income to CHF 1,500. I also planted on an additional three acres and expect to increase my production to 2,250kgs worth CHF 3,750 by 2022. I plan to use my additional income to pay university fees for my last born and to build a permanent house for my family.