April 17, 2007
A Flowering Industry
Chien-Chi Chang
As the national industry producing anti-malaria medicine matures, farmers are meeting the demand by growing artemesia which pays more than tilling Uganda's dark soil for food crops. From Chien-Chi Chang's trip in Uganda, exploring the many facets of malaria with writer Kyu-Young Lee, here are three examples of older entrepreneurs who have changed their businesses in response to the country's needs.
At 82, Theodore Riutonda, is taking on a new job of growing artemesia which he believes will be lucrative. Artemesia is processed into a drug that can treat malaria and save thousands of lives each day in Africa. Chien-Chi Chang/Magnum on Malaria
John Tabaro, 73, with his wife Janan sit in their living room in a town outside of Kabale. “I was born here, grew up here and have been a farmer all my life,” he said. Tabaro admits he was excited when he first heard about artemesia and its lucrative potential. Thirteen people live in his house. It’s been four harvest seasons since he first grew the plant. Now you can find it in every free corner where he has arable land. “Look at my children, they look nice,” he said. “There are many, so I send them to boarding school.” Chien-Chi Chang/Magnum on Malaria
With 18 children from two wives, Steven Hyaza is looking for new ways to make money. “I am 60 years old and I am not getting younger,” he said. He joined a group of farmers producing artemesia 3 years ago and has reaped the rewards. Meeting the food needs of his family, he is now able to pay for secondary school fees for some of his children. Chien-Chi Chang/Magnum on Malaria
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Published on the Magnum Blog on April 17, 2007
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