By Umar Nsubuga
When Martin Kabogoza looks at a tree seedling, all he sees is an opportunity to earn.
For him, grafting tree seedlings has evolved into a thriving business, proving that even small, overlooked spaces can be transformed into sources of income.
Kabogoza, who manages a successful tree seedling project in Semuto, Nakaseke District, has shown how a passion for trees can lead to financial and community development.
A small space, big returns
Kabogoza is among the directors of Volunteers Effort for Development Concern, an organisation that runs a tree nursery project in Wakasenke, Semuto Town Council.
He explains that grafting tree seedlings requires minimal space yet yields significant returns.
“We have stocked a variety of seedlings including pine, avocado, mangoes, oranges, and even flowers. With this diversity, the business pays well,” he says.
Farmers in Semuto and other areas in Nakaseke District have benefitted from tree planting initiatives supported by Volunteers Effort for Development Concern and Environment Alert.
Passion for trees
Kabogoza’s love for trees began early in life. Determined to turn his passion into a profession, he sought training at VI Agroforestry in Masaka, where he honed his skills.
His dedication has since paid off. Today, his nursery project boasts approximately 120,000 seedlings, including 20,000 clonal coffee seedlings and 25,000 pine seedlings.
Kabogoza sells these seedlings to individuals and local governments, with prices ranging between sh2,000 and sh5,000. This income supports not only his business but also the farmers he trains.
Empowering the community
The impact of Kabogoza’s work goes beyond financial gains. His project has trained numerous farmers across Nakaseke District, empowering them to adopt tree seedling cultivation as a backyard business.
“We want to ensure farmers don’t incur losses. That’s why we joined the National Coffee Alliance to train coffee growers,” explains Steven Kimuli, another project leader.
He encourages community members to stop complaining about unemployment and instead explore tree seedling grafting as a profitable venture.
“It’s a sustainable business model that even beginners in farming can adopt,” he adds.
One of the beneficiaries of this training is Rose Nabuma, who now works with the nursery project. For her, the training was life-changing, providing her with a stable source of income and a deeper understanding of agriculture.
How grafting works
Tree grafting, though simple for those with training, it requires care and attention to detail.
Kabogoza outlines the steps:
Soil preparation: Fertile black loam soil is essential for the young trees. This soil is packed into polythene bags before planting the seedlings.
Regular watering: Water is crucial for the growth of the seedlings, and regular irrigation is necessary to prevent them from drying out.
Pest and disease management: Vigilance is needed to protect the tender plants from pests and diseases.
Overcoming challenges
Despite its benefits, tree seedling grafting faces challenges. Pests, diseases, and the lack of a proper training center are constant hurdles.
Kabogoza notes that many people still perceive tree nurseries as small-scale personal ventures rather than community projects, limiting their potential impact.
“Our goal is to change this mindset. This is not just a personal business; it’s about community development,” he says.
Looking ahead
Kabogoza’s vision for the future is ambitious.
He plans to build a dedicated training center to teach more farmers in Nakaseke about the advantages of tree planting. Land for the centre has already been secured, and he hopes it will become a hub for knowledge sharing and innovation in tree seedling cultivation.
