Jane Kushemererwa was presented with a new financial reality a few years ago. The farmer and mother of five was widowed by the death of her husband, the primary income in her household. His death

meant that the farmer and native of Kegegwa district in Uganda's Western region had to carry the financial responsibility for the family.

Until recently, Kushemererwa had to carry what was a dual responsibility for the couple without relief. Relief finally came in the form of a house makeover package from the Toil and Promote Agriculture organization, TAPA. The non-profit prides itself on the agricultural development and livelihood improvement of the generally underresourced Kyegegwa district in Western Uganda.

The couple's formerly manageable responsibilities had become a burden for her.

“My husband and I were blessed with five children in our marriage. I found it very difficult to manage after his passing.”

Her new ‘responsibilities’ meant that she had to make previously unimaginable sacrifices to her dreams to manage. “I had to cut back on spending on what was our dream home to survive!”

The financial pressure of caring for five orphaned children and keeping the farm operating had dashed her ambitions of ever establishing a decent home for her family. Now, with TAPA’s support, all she had to do was sit back and receive what she termed as “an answered prayer!”

Kushemererwa is one of several women who contribute significantly to rural Uganda's agricultural backbone. While the farmers have excellent conditions such as fertile soils and favorable weather, they have yet to realize the full potential of their labor.

This is due in part to socioeconomic problems such as high levels of poverty, domestic violence, and a lack of access to sufficient nutrition and health care, all of which reduce the overall returns from farmers' input in agriculture.

TAPA has made tremendous progress in raising agricultural productivity in the Kyegegwa district by promoting community-centered operation models. These include establishing farmer cooperatives, offering farmers incentive-based agricultural loans, holding periodic medical camps, connecting farmers to product markets, and sponsoring community schools.

These interventions have helped uncover the community's economic potential, allowing farmers to thrive and boost their agricultural production potential.