The inspiration to combat deforestation turned into the most profitable business
Kamanyiro stands near the pond at his farm. It is located near his expansive eucalyptus plantation. PHOTO BY JOSEPH PAUL ADOA.
As you approach Stanislaus Kamanyiro’s homestead, you are welcomed by a huge plantation of bananas and a magnificent forest of eucalyptus trees that is on more than 10 acres of land. He is an agricultural engineer by profession and a successful farmer, given his innovativeness and diversification in farming. He owns a number of farming enterprises but he says forestry is his biggest money making venture.
Popularly known as Slash in his Nyakaijo village and the neighbouring Ruti Towns in Nyamitanga, Mbarara District, he explains the nickname is the short form of his first name, Stanislaus.
He chose tree planting to play his part in combating deforestation and environmental degradation, and also as an income generating activity.
‘Greening’ the land
Kamanyiro has planted more than 40 varieties of trees around his homestead, farm and greenhouses. But he is particularly excited about eucalyptus which, he says, is adaptable to the environmental conditions of the region and more profitable. “I sell a two-year-old tree at between Shs15,000 and Shs30,000 depending on the size. The five-year and 10-year-old trees go for Shs40,000 and above per tree also depending on the size,” he says.
In a month, Kamanyiro earns a minimum of Shs4.5m and a maximum of Shs6m, depending on the sales made. He emphasises that having various sizes is very good since they are used for different purposes.
With the passion for tree planting, Kamanyiro was determined to “green” his land with eucalyptus. He says several factors determined the choice: “ First, their quality and use in order to meet the primary needs of the people. Second, their growth rate, given the urgency to restore the tree cover. Third, their adaptability to the soil and moisture conditions.” Kamanyiro also sells tree seedlings from the nursery on his farm to individuals, communities and organisations at between Shs3,000 and Shs5,000 each depending on the species.
Efforts rewarded
In his first year of operation, he sold eucalyptus seedlings worth Shs4m. He invested the money on planting more eucalyptus trees.
After the trees have been harvested, their stumps are dug out and the ground cleared for other trees to be planted. His first seedlings grew into an immense forest. Though it was not easy, his efforts were rewarded when he was given more seedlings by officials from Kawanda agricultural research institute. They came to pay him a visit at his farm in the early 1990s.
Hitherto, he had gained a lot of skills and knowledge from them through many of their trainings.
In turn, he has trained some of the villagers to plant the eucalyptus trees and which he says has helped many people in the area to earn a living.
Kamanyiro says he has benefited a lot from growing the eucalyptus trees since he has been able to pay for the education of his children up to university and also provide for his family with the proceeds. “This enterprise has enabled me earn big throughout the years since I started growing eucalyptus.” He also boasts of a pond in his farm, which is in the middle of the eucalyptus plantation. In addition to members of the community drawing water from it, he rears mud fish and Tilapia from there.
