In partnership with Schorlermer Foundation, we are delighted to share the transformative journey of Peter Mungere, an alumnus of the International Young Farmers Exchange Programme (IYFEP), cohort 5. Peter’s life took a remarkable turn after participating in the program, and he is now an inspiration to his community.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter was a graphics designer. However, with the outbreak in 2020, he transitioned into farming at Reanna Mixed Farm, as an operations manager. When we announced the IYFEP, Peter seized the opportunity and was selected for a life-changing internship at Ude Schmidt’s farm.
Peter says, “The desire to seek knowledge from practicing farmers motivated me to participate in the program. Coming from a design background, I knew this was an opportunity for me to get a practical understanding and transfer of knowledge and skills. “
“I expected to see the agricultural mechanization, farm organization & structure and animal nutrition,” he adds.
The experience had a profound impact on Peter. With the knowledge and skills, he gained proper planning, expanded his poultry farm that had a capacity of 4,000 birds to 12,500 birds, improved the brooder capacity which is enabling the continuity of rearing cycles. Currently, he’s producing an average of 420 trays of eggs daily.
The dairy farm also flourished, as the number of stables were increased and also embraced pasture planning. The farm has impacted the community by creating employment opportunities for over 15 workers and promoting knowledge exchange through farm visits.
He has not only gotten a chance to be hosted in Germany but has also been able to host our IYFEP German intern, Julius Fricke. During Julius’ internship, they managed to dive into poultry economics and nutrition, which also gave Peter confidence to add two new structures in the poultry section. His stay also fostered cultural exchange as he learned about Ugandan culture.
The most important thing he learnt was that German farmers receive official farming education, which explains their great output as they understand what needs to be done and why. He stressed that all of their actions are thoroughly described and supported by written materials or articles.
The experience had a significant impact on him, motivating him to read more and thereby narrowing the knowledge gap, which in turn increased the production of the farm through implementing the gained knowledge.
“The knowledge and exposure I gained during the exchange program was phenomenal, and the changes I implemented at the farm have become a benchmark for other farmers to visit, learn from, and improve their own farms,” Peter observed.
Mungere revealed,” The program had a profound impact on me, teaching me to approach farming as a business by carefully calculating every aspect, no matter how small. Now, I meticulously assess risks and potential returns on my farm, ensuring that every decision is informed and strategic.”
Peter’s success is a testament to the power of empowering youth in agriculture. He is now a beacon of hope for his community, inspiring other farmers to venture into agriculture as a business. His goal is to raise the number of birds to over 20,000, a clear indication of his confidence in the future. And also plans to acquire agricultural economics education to run the farm smoothly and not only concentrate on the agricultural perspective but also on the economics so that the farm can be run as a business venture.
Peter’s story is a shining example of the impact of our program, and we are proud to have played a part in his journey. His determination and passion for farming are a reminder that with the right support and opportunities, young people can achieve great things and make a meaningful difference in their communities.