Jamawa’s Journey from Harvest to Income with INSPIRE and Dhero Group

Across Uganda’s Busoga region, many smallholder farmers work hard to produce food, yet earning a fair income remains a challenge. Even when harvests are good, limited access to reliable markets and poor post-harvest handling persist. Through the INSPIRE Project, farmers are gaining not only improved production skills, but also stronger links to markets that help them turn higher yields into higher incomes.

Farming Without a Clear Plan

Wandera Jamawa, a Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) Innovator from Buyengo Town Council in Jinja Rural, recalls that before joining INSPIRE, farming was largely trial and error. Without technical guidance, household planning, or a clear market strategy, she could not fully understand why her yields fluctuated from season to season. Like many farmers, she sold produce at whatever price was offered, leaving her with little profit and limited ability to meet household needs.

“I was farming without purpose,” Jamawa says. “I didn’t have a plan; I just planted and hoped for the best.”

What Changed

After joining the INSPIRE Project in 2025, Jamawa took part in a series of learning sessions under the PIP approach, which encouraged families to take ownership of their development, plan together, and make more intentional decisions about farming and household finances. She also joined the Buyengo TC Community Farmer Learning Group (FLG), where she gained practical knowledge in improved agronomic practices such as crop rotation, proper line spacing, and the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. She also learned the value of investing in quality seed and applying good practices consistently.

The difference was significant. Previously, Jamawa harvested only 3.5 bags of maize from one acre, largely due to poor seed quality and low-input farming methods. After adopting the improved practices promoted through INSPIRE and using quality seed from NASECO, a private sector seed supplier, her production rose to 15 bags of maize from the same acreage about 1.5 tones. For Jamawa, this was more than a production success; it was proof that better knowledge, planning, and inputs can substantially improve household income.

Beyond Production

INSPIRE’s impact on Jamawa’s household didn’t stop at increased production. Through the project, she was linked to Dhero Group, a private sector partner supporting farmers with post-harvest handling, storage, and market access. This connection addressed one of the biggest barriers facing smallholders: being forced to sell immediately after harvest, often at unfavorable prices.

Before working with Dhero Group, Jamawa sold maize for as little as UGX 500 (approximately USD 0.14) per kilogram. By storing her maize with Dhero Group, she was able to wait for better market conditions and sell at around UGX 1,200 (approximately USD 0.33) per kilogram, more than doubling the value of her product and helping her earn about UGX 3,000,000 (approximately USD 830) from maize sales. Dhero Group also offers cash advances against stored produce, giving farmers the flexibility to meet urgent household needs without selling at a loss.

For Jamawa’s household, the results have been tangible. The additional income has helped cover essential expenses, including school fees, while easing financial pressure at home. Just as importantly, the family now has greater confidence in planning, farming, and making marketing decisions.

“Now I know what I’m doing, and why,” Jamawa says. “I plan before I plant, and I know where I’ll sell before I harvest.”

Looking ahead, Jamawa is expanding maize production to about 1.5 acres and plans to diversify into coffee and beans.