Retired teachers from the Teso region are redefining life after service by embracing agriculture through a welfare body focused on organic manure production and avocado farming.
Operating under the Retired Teachers Welfare Association (RTWA), the retirees are championing the use of organic manure as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilizers.
During the seminar on avocado farming, soil sampling and manure production, Mary Emadau urged farmers to utilize locally available materials such as grass cuttings, dry leaves, and household organic waste to produce manure.
Farmers demonstrate on soil sampling techniques
“Instead of spending money on fertilizer, we can use what we already have around us,” she said, noting that the approach not only reduces costs but also improves soil health.
The initiative reflects a growing shift in mindset among retirees, who now view retirement as an opportunity for continued productivity and community engagement.
Through the programme, the retirees aim to serve as role models in agriculture, share knowledge with local communities, promote food security and generate income, while encouraging young people to venture into farming.
The group is working closely with FIPS Africa, which is providing technical support and modern farming techniques through its officer Martin Mango.
A key component of the project is the cultivation of grafted Hass avocado, a high-value crop with strong export potential.
According to trainers- Collins Otiende and John Kipchumba- the trees mature within two years, with a 50 by 100 feet plot accommodating up to 20 trees. Each tree has the potential to generate up to Sh14,000 annually, with harvesting done twice a year.
Export markets have already been identified in the United Kingdom, Canada, Qatar and the United States.
RTWA Chairman Jared Olubayi Eng’ong’o said the association, which started in 2023 with eight members, has since grown to 65 active members and is targeting more than 160 retirees.
Membership requires a registration fee of Sh1,000 and a monthly contribution of Sh500. Members also contribute Sh4,850 per month for 10 months towards a medical cover.
Beyond farming, the association promotes social welfare through regular meetings, emergency support funds and planned group activities, including trips to Mombasa and Rwanda.
By integrating organic farming, cooperative structures and agribusiness, the retirees are establishing a model that reduces reliance on costly farm inputs, promotes environmental conservation, and strengthens rural economies.
Their message remains clear: retirement is not a withdrawal from active life, but an opportunity to grow, lead and transform communities.
