Naomi Achom is 74 years old. The resident of Kyebando, a Kampala suburb, says while still employed, she knew full well she needed to set up a venture which would take care of her while in retirement. Despite having her own children, Achom said she believed it was important for her to have her own source of income as well.

“I saved money and acquired land, on which I built some rental units, just to ensure I don’t suffer during retirement,” she says. Since Achom was busy in her work, she hired a caretaker to look after her business venture.

However, on the plot, there was a piece of land that had not been utilised. That is when the thought came to Achom to practice urban farming.

On the land, she grows sugarcane, yams, maize, bananas, guavas, aloe vera, avocadoes, and greens, with the help of the caretaker.  Achom said her urban farm has reduced the number of visits to the market to buy foodstuffs.  

In addition to getting food from her urban garden, the plants also act as air purifiers. For instance, the aloe vera plant purifies the air of chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene which, experts say, are commonly found in household cleaning products.

By Deborah Tino