By Erdly Agona
Beatrice Nabwire, a small-scale farmer from Khuhungu village in Matayos Subcounty, Busia County, practices organic farming and relies on indigenous knowledge to grow crops and raise poultry. Embracing the agroecological principle of diversity, her farm flourishes with vegetables, maize, and sorghum, alongside cows, hens, and a pig.
Her transformation began in 2023 after attending training sessions offered by Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT). Driven by the desire to overcome poor yields, avoid harmful chemicals, improve her family’s well-being, and restore her soil health, she embraced organic techniques such as Bokashi fertilizer, natural pest control, and herbal remedies for poultry.
Before joining the agroecology trainings through her group at Singi CBO, Beatrice practiced conventional farming and often struggled with low yields. Curious and hopeful, she decided to give the training a try, and everything changed. “When they taught us in the groups, I would go back to my farm and try a small demo to see if it worked before applying it to the rest of my farm,” she recalls.
Her first breakthrough came with Bokashi fertilizer, an organic manure made from natural farm inputs. “A field officer from Biovision Africa Trust taught us how to make Bokashi, and when I used it on my vegetables, I saw results I never expected. The soil improved, and my harvest tripled,” she explains. “I now use Bokashi throughout my farm from planting to topdressing. Even the texture of the soil has changed; it’s softer, more fertile, and farming is easier.”
Her poultry journey is equally inspiring. Equipped with knowledge from Biovision’s trainings and community seminars, she began preparing her own indigenous herbal remedies. “I mix moringa leaves, aloe vera, mango leaves, guava leaves, and other herbs into a natural tonic for my chickens. I give this to them every week. It keeps them healthy, and I no longer worry about diseases,” she says.
Beatrice also learned to make nutritious chicken feed using maize, roasted soya, and omena from Lake Victoria. “I know exactly what my chickens eat, and I’m confident the meat and eggs are safe,” she adds. Starting with just a few chickens, she expanded her flock, sold some for profit, and even managed to cover her daughters’ school fees.
“We rotate farm visits, and when it’s a member’s turn to host, he/she prepares the materials, and we come together to make Bokashi as a group. No one in our group is idle. Everyone is farming, and every household has a vegetable garden”
The training has also strengthened her group’s unity. “Our group now meets every Wednesday at 10:00 AM at a member’s home to make Bokashi fertilizer,” she explains. “We rotate farm visits, and when it’s a member’s turn to host, he/she prepares the materials, and we come together to make Bokashi as a group. No one in our group is idle. Everyone is farming, and every household has a vegetable garden.”
Beatrice’s farm is now more than a source of income, it’s the foundation of her family’s wellness. “I no longer buy vegetables,Biovision Africa Trust provided us with indigenous vegetable seeds, and we were encouraged to multiply and share them with our neighbors. Now my family eats what we grow. It’s safe and nutritious,” she says proudly.
Despite her success, Beatrice acknowledges the challenges that organic farmers face, particularly in gaining market acceptance. “Many buyers don’t understand the value of organic produce,” she notes. She hopes that organizations like Biovision Africa Trust and its partners, such as the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), will help create better marketing strategies, packaging, and consumer education to promote organic products.
For Beatrice, agroecology has been life changing. From poor yields and chemical dependence to a thriving, chemical-free farm and a healthier family, her story is proof that organic farming is not just a method, it’s a movement for better livelihoods and a healthier planet.