Pawpaw Farming Is Lucrative: A Ugandan Farmer’s Journey from Setback to Success

Farming is often described as a gamble—but for one determined Ugandan farmer, it became a story of resilience, innovation, and success. After losing his coffee plantation to disease, he turned to pawpaw and pineapple farming—a decision that completely transformed his life and livelihood.

A pawpaw farmer

From Coffee to Pawpaw: Turning Misfortune into Opportunity

“I was once a coffee farmer,” he begins. “Coffee was my main source of income until coffee wilt disease wiped out my entire plantation. It was devastating. I had no income and no clear direction.”

But rather than give up, he began searching for an alternative crop. His turning point came in 2004, when he visited a friend in Kyabazaala village who was growing pawpaw commercially. His friend’s success inspired him to try his hand at pawpaw farming.

“I learned that pawpaw is profitable, easy to start, and doesn’t require a lot of capital,” he explains. “So I decided to give it a try.”

Pawpaw fruit

Starting Small, Growing Big

With just one acre of rented land, he began his pawpaw journey. He harvested seeds from a ripe, yellow-fleshed pawpaw variety—known for its long shelf life and sweet flavor—and carefully prepared his nursery bed.

“I mixed loam and sandy soil for good drainage and added cow dung for fertility. I planted two seeds per polythene bag and watered them daily, morning or evening, to avoid heat stress. After two months, the seedlings were ready for transplanting.”

He ensured proper spacing—10 feet apart—to allow for healthy growth and fruiting. Compost manure enriched the soil, and he timed transplanting with the rainy season to avoid the need for irrigation.

First Harvest and Growing Market

Pawpaw trees mature quickly, and within nine months, their first fruits are ready. Initially, he harvested two to three fruits per tree weekly. As the plants matured, production increased to about seven fruits per tree each week.

“I was selling each fruit between Shs800 and Shs1,500 depending on the season,” he says. “During dry periods, prices go up since people consume more fruits in the hot weather.”

Today, traders from Kampala, Jinja, Juba, and even Kenya buy directly from his farm. “I no longer take my fruits to the market—they come to me,” he smiles.

Earnings, Expansion, and Recognition

From one and a half acres of pawpaw, he earned approximately Shs27 million within three years. With his profits, he bought his own land and expanded his ventures to include pineapple farming. His success attracted national attention—so much so that President Museveni visited his model farm and promised to support him with a fruit processing plant.

Challenges Along the Way

Like any business, pawpaw farming comes with its share of challenges.

• Fluctuating prices: Demand drops during rainy seasons, forcing farmers to sell at lower prices or even feed ripe fruits to animals.

• Labor shortages: Finding reliable workers can be difficult and costly.

• Climate stress: Long dry spells affect yields since irrigation systems are expensive for small-scale farmers.

Despite these hurdles, he remains optimistic about the future. “The factory the president promised will help us add value to our produce and reduce losses,” he says.

Achievements and Future Plans

His greatest achievement? “Owning my land and providing for my family,” he says proudly. He has also managed to pay school fees for his children and reinvest in expanding his farm.

He now plans to cultivate 10 acres of pawpaw and seven acres of pineapple, supported by a new processing facility. He also hopes to acquire a lorry to transport produce more efficiently.

Pawpaw Farming Tips from an Expert

• Soil: Pawpaw thrives in deep, loamy soil rich in humus and well-drained. Avoid waterlogged areas.

• Propagation: Use seeds from ripe pawpaw fruits to start your own nursery. Plant in polythene bags, water regularly, and transplant after two months.

• Spacing: Maintain 10ft x 10ft spacing to ensure good sunlight exposure and fruiting.

• Pest Control: Spray Dythene or Dudu Cyper fortnightly to manage fungal diseases and pests.

• Variety Choice: The yellow-fleshed variety is preferred for its long shelf life and high market demand.

Expanding Horizons: Pineapple and Banana Intercropping

To diversify income, he intercrops pineapples with bananas. With three acres hosting 25,000 pineapple plants and 700 banana plants, his monthly income now exceeds Shs2 million. Using coffee husks as organic fertilizer has improved yields and reduced costs.

Traders from Kampala, Jinja, Mukono, and Iganga buy directly from his farm, ensuring consistent sales and eliminating transport expenses.

The Big Picture

Pawpaw farming is not just a profitable venture—it’s a lifeline for many Ugandan farmers seeking financial independence. With minimal capital, proper management, and commitment, it can turn into a steady income source all year round.

As this farmer’s story shows, resilience and innovation can turn agricultural challenges into life-changing success. Pawpaw farming, indeed, is lucrative.