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| Genesis and her calf Mary |
Desire Farm was established in 2009, to help provide food
for the School Meals Program. The Farm has evolved tremendously over the last
eight years, and its 10 acres in the Kanungu District now serve as training
grounds, paid labor opportunities, a home for livestock, and a place to
cultivate crops.
The animals reared there include 71 chickens, four Holstein
Friesians dairy cows, and two Boran bulls. Broody hens have increased the
clutch, so egg production will be at its highest when the chickens start laying
eggs this December. Earlier this month, a female calf named Mary was born to
Genesis (Desire Farm's first cow who gave birth last year to another female
calf named Princess). More milk and eggs will help supplement student meals and
earn revenue for the Farm through sales at local markets.
The crops grown there include maize, beans, bananas, kale,
tomatoes, and onions. Over 95% of the maize planted in the last month has
germinated, being the Farm's most reliable crop. Beans are often difficult to
harvest because the crop is compromised by harsh climactic conditions such as
prolonged drought and heavy rains. Nyaka Primary School and NVSS receive 70% of
the bounty from Desire Farm's crops. Most of the remaining produce is sold at
market and generated $292 of income for the Farm over the last three months.
Dedicated Farm Manager Richard Munyakazi works full days and
sometimes into the evenings for ideal planting conditions. He is supported by
two staff - one who oversees cows and the other chickens. During the busy
times, 30 extra working hours a week are handled by paid day laborers who help
harvest, prepare seed beds, plant, and weed. Guardians of students (mostly
grandmothers but sometimes other caretaking relatives) commit to voluntarily
helping the Farm for six hours a month, while students who live near the Farm
are expected to voluntarily help for two hours a week during their vacations.
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| Volunteers tending to the farm |
Desire Farm is becoming a hot bed of innovation and
agricultural learning. By working on the property, local farmers are taught
about seeding, transplanting, grafting, fertilizing, weeding, hybrids, and
animal husbandry. Richard visits nearby villages to inform casual workers about
the activities at the Farm. Students, their guardians, and visitors are also
encouraged to attend experiential trainings. NVSS students help at the Farm
once a week during their gardening time, and those on the vocational track may
decide to invest their time in agriculture and learn by doing. Nyaka and
Kutamba Primary graduates who do not attend secondary school know that they can
come to the Farm to earn wages and learn how produce income from such a model
enterprise.
Ideally, Desire Farm will continue to expand by adding more
land for cultivating crops and rearing livestock. Even a small plot would allow
the Farm to double its egg production and start growing mushrooms. Although
there are significant challenges from weather and its remote location, Desire
Farm will keep growing, gathering, and giving – to the community's benefit.
If you would like to make a donation to Desire Farm, to help
purchase seeds, animals, and land, please visit this page. In
the last section, designate your donation's special purpose as "Desire
Farm and Nutrition Program." Thank you for feeding the children and their
caretakers!
