Traditional vegetables have boosted Paul Mballa’s income and self-esteem.

Paul Mballa from Cameroon, 33 years old, holds a BSc in sociology. He has been unemployed for the past eight years, and was looking for a way to generate income. “I attended a farmer’s day organized by Cameroon Agenda for Sustainable Development (CASD), a project partner in AVRDC’s Traditional African Vegetable initiative, on June 25, 2014 in Ebolowa and got interested in traditional African vegetable production,” he said.

“I expanded my farm to 3000 m2, and I registered to write the entrance examination into the Technical School of Agriculture, which I passed,” he said.

Paul began growing amaranth, African nightshade and jute mallow on a 1000-square-meter farm and soon found buyers for his produce. “With the new source of income, I expanded my farm to 3000 m2, and I registered to write the entrance examination into the Technical School of Agriculture, which I passed,” he said. The income he receives from selling traditional vegetables will enable Paul to continue his studies and take care of his family.

Contributor: Regine Kamga, AVRDC Cameroon