Norah, a dedicated farmer, faced persistent challenges of low yields caused by poor farming methods and the continuous use of farmer-saved seeds. Season after season, her harvests remained meagre, hindering her ability to improve her family's livelihood. Determined to change her circumstances, Norah participated in training sessions on financial literacy and good agronomic practices from Caritas Kabale. Armed with this knowledge, she took a tailored loan from TCP Global to invest in her farming endeavours.
A lifeline arrived in the form of a 500,000 UGX loan with an attractive 2% interest rate and a 6-month repayment term. This accessible credit empowered Norah to purchase high-quality seeds—25 kilograms of quality-declared cowpea seeds and 25 kilograms of the NARO BEAN 12C variety—from Kabale agro-input dealers at 8,000 UGX per kilogram, totaling 400,000 UGX. Additionally, she allocated 100,000 UGX to hire land for her planned planting season.The results were transformative. Norah's hard work and informed investment yielded a bumper harvest: 3 bags of cowpeas, each weighing 150 kilograms, and 5 bags of beans, each weighing 120 kilograms. She sold the cowpeas at 6,500 UGX per kilogram, earning 2,925,000 UGX, and the beans at 3,500 UGX per kilogram, generating 2,100,000 UGX. Altogether, Norah earned a substantial total of 5,025,000 UGX.This newfound income enabled Norah to purchase an additional acre of land, expanding her operations and securing her family’s future. Reflecting on her journey, Norah shared, “The loan and training gave me the tools I needed to transform my life. I am now able to provide for my family and plan for the future.” Norah's success story exemplifies the transformative power of accessible credit and knowledge. By equipping farmers with the resources they need, we can enhance food security, foster sustainable agricultural practices, and empower communities to thrive.