This small plot of land cultivated with care near her home, has become both a source of pride and a symbol of resilience for a woman whose life has always been rooted in caring for others.

Alena Ranadi is the eldest of nine siblings, and her journey into farming became early in your life. She left school at Class 8 when she was just 13, so she could help her father on the family farm and support her siblings’ education. Those early years taught her not only the practical skills of planting and harvesting but also the deeper value of perseverance—knowledge that would carry her through decades of raising four children, supporting eighteen grandchildren and guiding her community. 

Today, as a widow and grandmother, Alena is a participant of the JP RWE in Bukuya, Magodro, Ba. As part of the programme, Alena received vegetable seeds including cucumber, French bean, Chinese cabbage, eggplant and watermelon, and the Ministry of Agriculture and contributed with dalo tops. She planted these seeds in her home garden and has already gathered the harvest. 

Before the programme, families like Alena’s depended heavily on wild herbs for vegetables. Women often made long walks into the bush to gather whatever they could find. 

“Before, we used to walk far just to find wild herbs. Now everything is right outside my door. I can feed my family, earn a little money, and still have time for other work. This garden has really changed my life”, Alena reflects.

Alena's house and taro plots

Seeds raised in plastic containers

With home gardens now close to the house, she saves significant time and can attend to other household responsibilities. Alena now sells her produce at USD 3 per heap of eggplant and USD 3 and per bundle of beans, and adding nutrition supplements to her household meals. The garden also feeds her family, provides vegetables for community and religious events, and even supports her grandchildren’s school lunches. With a 20-year-old grandson studying at the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute, the family’s farming legacy continues into the next generation.

Alena is not only a dedicated farmer but also a respected leader. As the Women’s Representative for the Magodro District, the role she gained through years of experience and participation in community decision-making at the village, district, and provincial levels. When she is not working in her garden, she manages the Women’s Cooperative Store and participates in non-farm activities such as mat weaving. 

Looking ahead, Alena hopes to strengthen her garden further, expand her income and continue uplifting the women of Magodro.

Originally published at jprwee.org