From ToT to Trailblazer — The Agroforestry Commercialization Journey of Hamidu Turyatunga in Kigoyera, Kyenjojo District

On 14th September 2022, JESE hosted a high-level delegation from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), including Mr. Ole, then Head of the Green Economy Programme. During a field visit in Kigoyera, Kyenjojo District, a key question emerged: could agroforestry extension services ever become self-sustaining and independent of donor funding? At the time, the idea of commercialising extension services seemed unlikely. Mr. Ole jokingly remarked that if such a model ever worked, he would “officially retire.”

JESE argued that commercialization was possible if Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) were equipped with strong technical skills and the confidence to market their expertise directly to farmers. Unknown to the delegation, the answer was already taking shape nearby through the work of Hamidu Turyatunga.

Hamidu was among the first ToTs trained under the CISU project in 2019 and later strengthened through the Green Entrepreneurship Programme and the DGBP Maturation Project. During the MoFA visit, he hosted the delegation on his agroforestry demonstration farm integrating vanilla, coffee, and cocoa. What was then a model farm has since grown into a thriving enterprise.

From earning only UGX 1.8–2 million annually between 2019 and 2023, Hamidu increased his income to UGX 6–9 million in 2024 and now earns approximately UGX 28 million annually. Between 2024 and 2025, he established and continues to  150 hectares of private agroforestry farms across Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts. 

To this end, he  also founded a local extension services organization employing 20 youth, who support agroforestry advisory services and expand adoption across the landscape. His success has enabled him to build two houses, educate his children, and diversify into a commercial  tree nursery.

Hamidu’s journey proves that commercial agroforestry extension is possible, scalable, and transformative—turning a once-doubted idea into a practical model for sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation.