Originally posted by Action Against Hunger.
By: Diana Tumuhairwe
Ernest Bikorimana Desire fled his home in Burundi due to civil unrest, trekking miles on foot across the Tanzania border. Arriving in Uganda in 2017, he was only able to afford to eat one meal a day. After hopping from one refugee settlement to another, he eventually set down roots. Life wasn’t easy, but Ernest had hope. The now 29-year-old and his children – four-year-old Mukunzi and two-year-old Asiimwe – moved to the bustling Kabazana Trading Center in the Nakivale Refugee settlement. Even though the center is typically crowded and lively, business is often slow and unpredictable.
Instead of diving headfirst into the trading industry like many of his neighbors, Ernest decided to take up farming. It is his passion, but it is also how he survives. “Farming gives me peace,” he said, adding, “I used to trade corn and beans, but that requires a lot of money, which I lacked as a newly resettled refugee.”
Initially, Ernest was only growing food to consume. To supplement his income, he worked for host communities and picked up any jobs he could. Once he earned enough money, he was finally able to launch his own business. Still, he regularly went to bed without dinner.
“I often struggled with hunger,” he said. “I was recently married and barely made enough money to feed my family.”
In 2023, Ernest decided that he needed to try something new. His livelihood was unsustainable, and he struggled to make ends meet. One day, he joined Action Against Hunger’s group farming initiative in the nearby village of Rwoma.
Before long, Ernest was introduced to block farming. With this initiative, farmers learn a special strategy called the Optimized Land Use Model, or OLUM. OLUM is an innovative farming method that helps communities adapt to climate change and grow nutrient-rich crops by integrating climate-smart techniques. Plus, farmers like Ernest are taught how to maximize land and grow as many crops in as small of a space has possible.
Through the block farming initiative, smallholder farmers are brought together to rent land, build skills, negotiate fair prices, and create demand for nutritious crops. Together, Ernest and other local farmers were able to build a community.
“Before, I used to rent land at $32 per year,” he said. “But at the block farm, there is free land and water, so I can farm freely without worrying about high costs. I can also farm on any acreage I want, as long as I demonstrate growth and capability.”
Through the initiative, Ernest began to grow high-value crops like tomatoes and onions. Despite initial challenges, Ernest persevered.
“Onions are resource-intensive, they require significant water and financial inputs for farming,” he said.
Still, Ernest dedicated countless hours to tending his crops, often spending nights at the farm to guard them. His hard work paid off – eventually, he cultivated a huge harvest.
In July 2024, Ernest harvested over 6,600 pounds of onions, earning $1,350. He even grew nearly 2,500 pounds of tomatoes, earning over $3,250. As he continued to expand his garden, he increased his savings, and in December, Ernest earned over $4,500 from onions alone.
Ernest says that the initiative transformed his life. The farming paid off for Ernest, but the initiative meant so much more than just a steady income. Today, growing tomatoes and onions gives Ernest a sense of purpose and hope.
Since joining Action Against Hunger’s initiative, Ernest has been able to move to a busier area where he can run his business more easily. Thanks to his new savings, he purchased a motorcycle taxi called a “boda boda”. As a driver, he earns about $14 per week. The bike also transports him to his garden, since he lives fairly far from the block farm. Now, he can get to his crops quickly and easily. Ernest also started a general merchandise shop in the Kabanzana Trading Center, and his wife manages the store. He is even able to rent a shop to store his onion harvest. His next goal is to purchase a tuk-tuk, a small motorized vehicle, to transport his goods and produce.
As Ernest continues to grow his business, his biggest commitment remains to his family. His four-year-old son, Mukunzi, suffers from a severe eye condition. It is still undiagnosed, but the child struggles to see and his eyes are often bloodshot. Once he earns enough money, he plans to seek specialized medical attention in Mbarara and ensure his son receives the necessary treatment.
One day, Ernest dreams of buying a house big enough for his whole family. In the meantime, Ernest continues to expand his garden. Recently, he’s expanded his tomato section to 1.7 acres.
“I know that the market for tomatoes is not always easy; they are perishable, and I don’t have the means to transport them to bigger markets,” he said. Still, he is eager to keep trying, and Ernest never gives up.
“I’m still struggling to build a customer base,” he said. “However, people are slowly starting to remember me. When tomatoes are scarce, they look for me and I sell to them.”
Ernest believes that refugees just like him can overcome even the biggest obstacles. Through farming, he says that families can build a sustainable future.
“Most refugees have no money, but they have energy,” he said. “I think they should start farming so they can build a livelihood for years to come.”
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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
