From bare land to bounty

What does it take to turn barren land into a thriving future? In Eastern Uganda, Emmanuel Odeke and his wife Teresa Tino transformed a struggling 1.5-acre plot into a flourishing fruit farm using nature-based solutions. After growing up in poverty and leaving school early, Emmanuel took a risk: selling a sheep to buy lemon seeds, and began experimenting with grafting techniques to improve fruit quality and yields. Facing infertile soil and limited resources, Emmanuel stayed committed to fruit farming, learning new techniques and adapting through challenges like drought by diversifying crops. In this episode, host Ivy Prosper takes us to Gweri, Uganda, where nature-based innovation is transforming livelihoods. Emmanuel and Teresa’s journey now inspires local farmers, as they provide training and planting materials to help others succeed. Produced by student producer Victor Viegas Alvarez and edited by John McGill. Featuring interviews with Emmanuel Odeke, Teresa Tino, and Vincent Odele, with translations by Vincent Odele and Sarah Asio. Step into a story of resilience, where one family’s determination turned hardship into opportunity and is helping a whole community grow. More about Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing Planet at farmradio.org/natureanswersThis is a Farm Radio International podcast produced thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.