BY KATRINA MURPHY
Martin Manyati (purple shirt) desires to be an example of stewardship and hard work in his community in Nashisa, Uganda, and this year Martin’s family received one of the dairy cows distributed by FH Uganda; a pregnant heifer.
Within the first month, the heifer calved and began producing milk. Martin held to his part of the agreement and happily gave the calf to a neighbour in need. Martin and his family have been enjoying the benefits of owning a dairy cow since then. Martin has invested a portion of the proceeds from the milk he sells in his Savings and Loans Group, and he expects to be able to purchase another cow by the end of the year. His own heifer is expecting another calf, and Martin intends to give the second calf to another family in his farming group.
Martin is proud to report that waste is no longer wasted on his farm. He began using cow dung to boost the fertility of the soil in his green banana garden, and he claims that he can see one acre in particular thriving because of this application of manure. He says the bananas are beautiful; he can sell them for $7 CAD a bunch.
Martin and his wife are among the first in their community to embrace the use of cow dung for biogas. “We no longer struggle to find firewood,” Martin reports. “Come sunshine or rain, we are assured of a meal.” The biogas flame doubles as a light source in the home.
“Change is already happening here,” says Martin, and he intends to participate in that change and see his community thrive.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE A COW TOO
Within the first month, the heifer calved and began producing milk. Martin held to his part of the agreement and happily gave the calf to a neighbour in need. Martin and his family have been enjoying the benefits of owning a dairy cow since then. Martin has invested a portion of the proceeds from the milk he sells in his Savings and Loans Group, and he expects to be able to purchase another cow by the end of the year. His own heifer is expecting another calf, and Martin intends to give the second calf to another family in his farming group.
Martin is proud to report that waste is no longer wasted on his farm. He began using cow dung to boost the fertility of the soil in his green banana garden, and he claims that he can see one acre in particular thriving because of this application of manure. He says the bananas are beautiful; he can sell them for $7 CAD a bunch.
Martin and his wife are among the first in their community to embrace the use of cow dung for biogas. “We no longer struggle to find firewood,” Martin reports. “Come sunshine or rain, we are assured of a meal.” The biogas flame doubles as a light source in the home.
“Change is already happening here,” says Martin, and he intends to participate in that change and see his community thrive.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE A COW TOO
