Paulo James Pwagi wears two important hats in Kasota: he is both a member of the Sunflower and Rice Farmers Union and an operator of the sunflower oil processing machine. A lifelong resident of Kasota, Paulo lives with his wife and their four children, balancing farming and union duties to support his family.
Paulo’s journey into farming began after completing Grade 7 he turned to planting maize and cassava, working tirelessly to make ends meet. In 2018, he shifted to sunflower farming, inspired by a unique encounter. A woman named Anetee, connected to the AIC Church in Geita, arrived in Kasota with her oil-pressing machine. She used the oil to produce acid medicine, and from her, Paulo learned the basics of sunflower processing. He quickly saw the difference sunflower could make: faster returns, enough to pay school fees, feed his family, and meet other needs without waiting long periods for harvest sales.
When GGML introduced organized sunflower farming in Kasota, Paulo was already a year into it. Joining the union brought him even greater benefits: free seeds, tractor services, and pesticides, all of which boosted his yields. With the extra income, Paulo has bought land, built a house, and ensured his children’s education. One of his children is finishing Form Four this year, and another is in Form Two.
Today, Paulo is proud not only to farm sunflower but also to operate the machine that processes it into oil at the union’s industry. He credits GGML for making local processing possible, eliminating the need to transport harvests far away.
For Paulo, sunflower farming has transformed his life. It has given him financial stability, allowed him to invest in his family’s future, and connected him to a community of farmers working together for shared success. His dream is simple but powerful that his children will pick up from where he stopped and build an even brighter future.