Youth at Work Development Initiative (YAWODI) team, led by Executive Director Dr. Isaac Orec, made a follow-up visit on Thursday to farms of youth who trained in cocoa farming last year .
The training, held in June 2025 at Victoria Mixed Farm in Akalo, equipped over 20 youth from St. Augustine COU Barogole with practical skills in cocoa planning and cultivation .
Dr. Orec expressed delight at the youth's commitment to cocoa farming. He urged them to view cocoa as a wealth-creating adventure , citing Priscilla Apili, a Makerere University student who planted 70 trees. "She will not lack money in the near future," Orec stated.
He called on rural youth to "wake up and take the mantle of fighting poverty."
Christine Anono, Lira District Community Development Officer, praised the initiative, pledging government support and revealing that free cocoa and coffee seedlings will be available next season.
Emmanuel Okot from Anai Bung said he was "motivated" after the Victoria Farm visit and has now planted an acre, with plans to expand.
Priscilla Apili from Kirombe shared that her father gave her land after she was motivated by Dr. Orec's advice that cocoa is a "lazy man crop" with good returns.
Robinah Acobi, YAWODI Coordinator, encouraged youth to embrace cocoa, confirming it thrives in Lango with ready markets.
Dr Orec thanked Lango Community Focus for supporting YAWODI to inspire youth of lango and Uganda to plant Cocoa.
