Meet Innocent Ociti

Join us as we introduce yet another Rootical Founder-in-Residence: Innocent Ociti. Delve into his founder story, unveiling who he is, what motivated him to start his own business, and his entrepreneurial journey thus far.

Introduction

Innocent Ociti is an empathy-driven entrepreneur, who is dedicated to transforming Uganda's food system through providing smallholder farmers with organic farm inputs. His commitment to this cause stems from witnessing the negative effects of synthetic inputs on soil health and the broader ecosystem.

Puzzled by the lack of access to organic farm inputs for smallholder farmers in remote areas, Innocent decided to focus on spearheading the use of organic farming inputs in Uganda. With a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering from Busitema University and advanced graduate training from Jomo Kenyatta University, he embarked on his professional journey with UN Volunteers and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Brian Kiprotich on the left, with Innocent Ociti on the right; the co-founders of Ecologic.

“Empathy, resilience, and dedication to serving underserved communities are some of the virtues dear to me. While working with UNDP, I observed that farmers in rural areas struggled with the challenges of low farm yields, and became reliant on agrochemical inputs that were not only harming the environment but also reducing biodiversity. This motivated me to find an immediate solution,” Innocent affirms.

Entrepreneurial Journey

In July 2023, Innocent received a call from Rootical, offering him the opportunity to co-found a venture that resonated with his dreams of entrepreneurship.

“I dreamed of starting my own business and Rootical’s call was perfectly timed. I teamed up with Brian Kiprotich; someone with a similar work ethic and a shared vision of transforming the Ugandan food system through organic and environmentally friendly farming solutions. That is when EcoLogic met its genesis,” says Innocent.

EcoLogic is an agri-food enterprise that empowers smallholder farmers by ensuring their access to affordable organic farming solutions. Innocent, alongside his co-founder Brian, in partnership with Rootical, strives to not only empower smallholder farmers but also ensure healthier meals for consumers. Innocent and Brian source organic inputs from local producers like Vermipro and Glowish Agro solutions and distribute them to smallholder farmers in their respective villages in Eastern and Northern Uganda through a network of farmer agents.

Transforming agroecology in Uganda;

Innocent through EcoLogic envisions a ripple effect of prosperity by working with farmer agents, especially in Northern Uganda. These agents serve as ambassadors for regenerative farming practices, offering soil testing and expert advice to maximize yields and preserve the environment.

“Over time we aim to link every smallholder farmer in Uganda to a certified Soil Doctor (farmer agent) within a five-kilometer radius who helps them diagnose and manage any soil or plant health issue by providing advice and access to the most suitable and affordable organic inputs. I am confident this will increase farm yields.” Innocent adds.

Looking ahead, in the next six years;

Ociti has a profound vision for EcoLogic;

“The overall goal is to reach 10,000 small-holder farmers in 10 districts across Uganda by 2030 and to ensure high yields for farmers, improved livelihoods, and creating a direct link between farmers and our soil Doctors. We envision a future where EcoLogic pilots more districts and transcends borders across East Africa.” Innocent reaffirms.

Despite facing challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns and earning the trust of skeptical farmers, Innocent continues to learn and adapt. With a commitment to learning, he has gathered valuable lessons along the way. These experiences encompass the importance of preparation, engagement, and understanding the real needs of the farmers. Innocent is determined to make a lasting impact by promoting regenerative agriculture in Uganda.

“I’ve learned that successful entrepreneurship can be achieved through consistency and relationship building. We initially consulted farmer groups but realized that was ineffective and opted to consult farmers individually. The more we engaged with the farmers individually, the more they trusted us.” Innocent concludes.