IT might be deserted land at the moment, but the dusty fields are a symbol of hope and expansion for an African aid project funded by Glaswegians.
Matthew's Farm, in South Sudan, started out as a way of giving some of the poorest communities in the former war-torn African country a start in life.
Six years on the initiative is flourishing and is set to expand with the addition of an orchard.
Following initial donations from the charity Glasgow the Caring City to help set it up in 2006, the farm is going from strength to strength.
Volunteer Ross Galbraith has just returned from his first trip there in several years to see what has been achieved so far – and where the project will go next.
Ross spent several days travelling through northern Uganda to see other projects which the charity supports before reaching South Sudan.
When he arrived at Matthew's Farm, near Torit, in the Katire region, he was delighted to see the progress the project has made.
Ross said: "There was a great feeling at the farm and you could see how well they are doing. I felt a great sense of hope at what they were doing and it is fantastic that the farmers are wanting to do more.
"They have now cleared land for their own citrus orchard. It will benefit the whole community as they will be able to sell produce and reap the nutritional benefits from growing fruits such as lemons, limes, and mangos."
Matthew's Farm was funded by cash raised by the people of Glasgow and so far around £10,000 has been donated.
It means the community can now grow its own produce. It has also changed the lives and shaped the futures of young people who were previously child soldiers in Sudan's civil war.
Around 400 people have graduated from the agricultural project, and other aid agencies are now keen to replicate the idea in other parts of the country.
THOSE who took part are now smallholders supporting and feeding their families.
Ross added: "I couldn't believe some of the changes in the six years since I had been there.
"When I first went there was just desert tracks leading to the farm, but the whole infrastructure has changed. The farm has row after row of test beds to see what will grow and what will have the greatest nutritional value.
"To begin with all that was grown was sorghum beans, which are ground for flour to make bread, and cassava, a kind of sweet potato.
"Now they are growing onions, carrots and tomatoes and producing their own honey from beehives."
Ross also visited projects in Uganda which the charity is involved with, including one which has struck a chord with Glasgow school pupils.
Pupils in P3 at Hyndland Primary created a folder about the school, Glasgow and their local area, which Ross presented to one of the charity's partnership schools in Teongora.
He said: "We are involved in a number of educational projects and visited Ongora Hill School, which caters for children who have been orphaned by years of conflict.
"They are rebuilding their own school and we have been able to help with equipment from desks and chairs to blackboards.
"Through our links with Hyndland Primary School, pupils wanted to raise money and £200 from a bake sale they had has gone to support 20 youngsters at the school.
"It is great to see young people in Glasgow are willing to help children thousands of miles away."
Ross said the next step for the charity is to set up more training colleges in the area.
"The future is all about helping these communities to be sustainable on their own.
"Training is key to help people learn new skills and support their families. While a great deal has been done, we know more has to be done and we will continue to work with communities there to help them develop."
deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
