It Takes a Village to Empower Farmers: Asterie’s Journey of Growth and Giving Back
Turning Passion into Progress
Asterie, a 34-year-old mother of three, never planned on becoming a farmer. After completing her studies to become a teacher, she couldn’t find a job in her field. Yet farming – something she had loved since helping her parents during school holidays - began to look like a potential path to stability and fulfillment. She started small, growing maize, beans, cabbages, and sweet potatoes on a plot of family land.
However, initially, Asterie struggled to make her land productive enough to support herself and her family. Limited resources and outdated farming techniques meant her hard work yielded very little.
“Before joining the One Acre Fund program, I struggled to get a good harvest because I did not know about effective farming practices. This affected my harvest, and I could not produce enough for my family’s consumption.”
She soon recognised the impact of these limitations and joined One Acre Fund’s program seven years ago.
“With One Acre Fund, I get access to farm supplies on credit, and I am taught how to farm better.”
The One Acre Fund program alleviates the financial pressure during planting season by providing farm inputs on credit. Farmers are also taught useful and applicable farm knowledge like when to plant, how to improve soil fertility using compost, how to modify land for climate resilience, and much more. This mix of support transformed her approach to farming.
“Now, with just 10 kilograms of maize seeds, I can harvest up to a tonne. These techniques have made all the difference”, Asterie says.
Farming for the Future
One of the most impactful changes for Asterie has been learning how to make compost. As part of her training, Asterie was taught how to make an organic fertilizer from the livestock waste and grass that her farm naturally produces.
“There is a noticeable difference between fields where compost is used and where it is not,” Asterie says. “The crops grown with compost grow well and produce larger maize.”
Asterie has now achieved food security for her family.
“Food security means having enough of different types of food to give my children a balanced diet. It’s essential for their health, and it makes me happy to provide for them with minimal stress.”
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Building a Resilient Community
Working with One Acre Fund has done more than improve harvests for Asterie—it has strengthened her entire community. As the leader of her local farmer group, she collaborates with field officers to mobilize farmers, sharing knowledge and encouraging the adoption of climate-smart techniques like contouring and composting that she’s benefited from. By fostering the exchange of resources and ideas, Asterie is helping her village build resilience against climate change.
“As agriculture develops in the country, life will become easier for families because they will no longer worry about having enough to eat. With successful farming practices, it becomes easier to have improved harvests and enough food for families. When a family has enough to eat, peace prevails,” Asterie says.
Asterie also champions the involvement of women and youth in farming, recognizing their role in creating stronger, more stable households. “When women are empowered to farm, it doesn’t just help their families—it strengthens the whole community,” she explains.
To secure a brighter future for her own family, Asterie has used her farming earnings to purchase additional plots of land, ensuring her children will have opportunities to thrive. She hopes her success will inspire them to embrace agriculture, building on the legacy she has worked so hard to create.
By working together and supporting one another, Asterie’s village is thriving—a testament to the power of united communities investing in a better future for all.
A Shared Responsibility
Asterie’s journey illustrates why “It Takes a Village” is more than a campaign—it’s a call to action. Programs like ours at One Acre Fund rely on the combined efforts of farmers, field officers, and supporters worldwide. With every donation, training session, and harvest, the global village grows stronger, enabling farmers like Asterie to not only become more prosperous but also give back to their communities.
“I want my children to have choices, but I also know farming has a future. The prices of food in the market show how valuable farming is. If you work hard, farming can be a profitable business.”
Join the Village
With stories like Asterie’s, we’re reminded that lasting impact comes from shared responsibility. With your support, we can help more farmers achieve food security, improve their livelihoods, and build stronger communities. Together, we can create a future where farming is not only a means of survival but a pathway to prosperity.
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Join us in empowering farmers like Asterie. It truly takes a village to make a difference—and with your help, that difference can grow.
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