This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic persists, a couple from Kwangomor, Teso South Constituency, has shown kindness to their community by allowing residents to harvest two acres of sweet potatoes from their farm.
Alfred Etyang and his wife Julian Anyango have been cultivating sweet potatoes for the last two decades, thanks to skills they acquired from the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Organisation (Kalro). The couple's farm was due for harvesting last month, but the government's directive restricting movement due to the pandemic spoiled their plans.
Mr. Etyang, a catechist at Khwirale Catholic Parish, and his wife, engage in value addition by making various potato products such as bhajia, cakes, crisps, chips, chapati, and mandazi, which they sell to local secondary schools. However, the closure of schools and restrictions on movement complicated matters for them.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Etyang said, "We have no market for our produce at the moment, that is why we decided to allow residents of Kwangomor to harvest the potatoes and feed their families during this difficult time."
He added, "Once locals have harvested their entirely, we shall embark on preparing the land to plant potatoes afresh and continue with our business."
Ms. Anyango noted that her family alone could not feed on two acres of the crop, and that the knowledge they acquired from Kalro helped them to start value addition.
The beneficiaries of the couple's generosity expressed gratitude, with Mildred Awino saying, "This is a good gesture and we are happy as it will cushion us for some days."
Resila Etyang, another beneficiary, said, "I was not expecting that we would be allowed to harvest potatoes for free." She also offered to assist the Etyangs in preparing the land for planting of tubers to reciprocate the favour.
John Ekombe, who harvested the potatoes, sympathised with Mr. Etyang for having no market to sell the farm produce, saying, "We do not take his generosity for granted because he used money to cultivate the potatoes, but he has decided to give us at no cost."
Published on April 23, 2020.
