Chilli growing for income

Families who have been supported by the Project are encouraged, taught and facilitated to grow chillies as a way of earning much needed income thereby promoting self sufficiency, along with developing a sense of purpose, bringing families together and minimizing social isolation.

All beneficiaries of the Project are encouraged to grow chillies with advice and support from the Project’s Chilli Field Extension Officers: Martin and Victory.

Chillies grow well under banana trees which surround every rural home, so no extra land is required to cultivate them. The Project Field Officers cover a large area on their motorbikes giving advice and support at every stage of the process. The Field Officers are also well trained to spot problems and advise families during their visits to farmers, thus providing another vital lifeline for disabled children who may be hidden away. 

Click here to find out more about the process of how we harvest, collect, buy and sell chillies. 

Chilli buying days are arranged, where farmers bring their chillies and they are graded, weighed and transported back to the Project’s chilli store by truck, then, at the end of the growing season sent up to Kampala for export. There are two growing seasons each year.

All of the money given by the exporter is given to the farmers (per kg of chilli they produce). As a Project, we cover other expenses such as fuel to the field, and staff allowances. We want to make sure the farmers benefit as much as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who buys these amazing Bird Eye Chillies?

• Our chillies are exported all over the world. 
• Chillies shipped to the Med – Italy, France and Spain are principally bottled in small jars and sold in supermarkets. In Italy they are also mixed whole with other spices in their pizza oil. Spain also uses them in their chorizo spice mix.
• Chillies destined for USA are mainly used in bird food mixes of seeds and peanuts – in an attempt to deter squirrels! (apparently birds don’t feel the heat)
• In Germany, apart from the food trade they are also used in pharmaceutical applications for deep heat type creams and patches for muscular and arthritic pains.
• Chillies are said to be a super food good for blood pressure, weight loss etc - all in all quite a wonder product.

Johnson 

Having come for a learning life skills session, Victory was able to give Johnson and his grandmother chilli plants so that they plant them and earn some extra income. 

Martin also helped out by making a home visit, so he could help them make further progress with growing their chilli plants.