This week, we hosted vibrant Farmer Field Days in Omugo Sub-County ,Terego District, Kululu Sub-County and Lodongo Sub-County in Yumbe District, bringing together farmers for inspiring peer-to-peer learning sessions that fostered collaboration, shared knowledge and celebrated resilience.
In Omugo, Mungufeni and Duku farmer groups, alongside other community farmers, came together for a dynamic exchange of best agronomic practices. Farmers shared insights on their chosen enterprises, seed varieties best suited to their soil and lessons learned from successes and challenges. Discussions centered on critical topics like soil preparation, crop management ,pest and disease control. Peer-to-peer learning provided a practical way to enhance skills and drive progress among smallholder farmers without relying on overly technical or theoretical approaches.
In Kululu, The event brought Undredri farmers’ group, who joined Anika farmers group-a refugee led group to observe and learn from their effective practices. The exchange was filled with laughter, shared wisdom, and pride as farmers discussed their journeys. This collaboration highlighted the critical role of community-driven solutions in addressing challenges like declining food support, empowering refugees to grow their own food and move toward self-sufficiency.
In Lodonga, the session brought together Onitayo and Potegero Farmers group for a sparking discussion and experiment on whether to pick tomatoes with or without the pedicel. One group championed picking tomatoes with the pedicel, citing improved shelf life, while the other argued that removing it prevents injury to other fruits. In a spirit of collaboration, both groups agreed to experiment by harvesting tomatoes with and without the pedicel. This hands-on approach will allow them to observe real-world outcomes, such as shelf life, quality, and any signs of damage or spoilage, to inform their future practices.
The Farmer Field Day underscores the power of collaboration, resilience and knowledge-sharing in transforming agricultural practices. From Omugo to Kululu to Lodongo, farmers are not only learning from one another but also building stronger, more self-reliant communities.
