09/12/2025
🌱 From Rainy-Season Farmer to Year-Round Producer 🌱
In Abutaber Village, Apac District, farmer Michael Ekwang once depended entirely on seasonal rains to grow maize, cassava, and beans — crops with low profit margins and high risk. His income was unpredictable, and supporting his family was a constant struggle.
In 2024, Michael joined our drip irrigation program. With guidance from our project officer, he planted two sachets of cabbage. From his first harvest, he earned almost $200 and stored three bags for his household. Encouraged, he expanded into higher-value crops like eggplants and garden eggs (Entula). Since June, his fields have produced reliably — giving him about $40 weekly in income.
The results have been transformative. Michael has covered the full cost of his irrigation system, paid school fees, and even cleared hospital bills during his wife’s pregnancy. Now, he is saving with a goal to purchase more land and expand his farming.
“Last year, my wife was pregnant, and the hospital required more money. I used the cabbage harvest to clear the bills. Now I’m looking forward to saving and buying more land for farming.”
Michael’s journey shows how drip irrigation empowers farmers to break free from the limits of rain-fed agriculture — creating steady income, resilience, and hope for the future. 💧🌍
