(ERGO) – Ahmed Abdullahi Bocoreey, who lives in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district, earns a living selling different varieties of seedlings grown using compost made from discarded organic waste, and propagating plants from seeds that other people throw away.
He says the knowledge he gained from regularly listening to Radio Ergo encouraged him to diversify his work and improve his income.
Ahmed, 47, now makes $80 to $100 a week that covers household expenses, supports relatives, and pays school fees for two of his children.
“We are now able to provide our three daily meals. It’s not only my immediate family that depends on this income. I also help friends whenever I can, sometimes with 10 dollars, sometimes smaller amounts. I support my parents with their daily expenses, and relatives often come needing assistance. Even with all those responsibilities, this work has enabled us to manage our lives,” Ahmed told Radio Ergo’s local reporter.
He rents a two-room house in Wadajir for $100 a month. One of his proudest achievements is being able to pay for his children’s education without depending on others:
“My children’s education comes with many expenses. I pay about 15 dollars every month. This work has given me independence. I no longer have to ask other people for help or wait for someone to support me. Instead, I work, earn my own income, and I am now in a position where I can even assist others.”
Ahmed’s business revolves around giving new life to discarded materials. He trawls through the rubbish collection sites to gather seeds from thrown out fruits and vegetables. He germinates them, nurtures the seedlings, and later sells them.
He also collects dry leaves, vegetable peelings and other food waste to make into compost to enrich the soil used for growing his plants. Although some people question why he searches through waste, Ahmed says he sees value where others do not.
“I have always found opportunities in waste. I collect these dry leaves people sweep away and turn them into compost to sell. I make use of things people throw away. Grapes, avocados, olives, oranges, even cassava stems – people discard them, but I plant them. After a few months they produce food. Waste can become something valuable if you know how to use it,” he stated.
Ahmed attributes much of his progress to the practical information he has learned through Radio Ergo’s Environment programme. He says he listens regularly through Mogadishu FM radio stations that rebroadcast Radio Ergo’s programmes. In March 2025, Radio Ergo published a story about his work. He says that exposure introduced many new customers to his business at a time when demand for his seedlings was still limited.
“I always follow Radio Ergo’s environment programme because I want to keep learning. Whenever there is something new that can improve my skills, I listen carefully. Since people heard about my work through the radio, many have contacted me. Some even called the radio station to get my phone number before reaching me. More customers started coming, and I am grateful because it has helped my work grow.”
Ahmed strengthened the business at the beginning of 2026 by applying more of the techniques he had learned through the broadcasts. Alongside selling seedlings, he also designs decorative plant containers made from cement, red soil and coloured paint.
“The two businesses are different, but they support each other. When I make decorative plant pots, people also want plants to put in them. Once I expanded into growing more fruit trees, demand increased. Many people want more greenery around their homes and they also want fruit trees they can benefit from. Each activity brings its own income,” he said.
Ahmed believes no form of honest work should be looked down upon if it provides a livelihood. His longer-term goal is to pass on his skills to unemployed young people so they too can earn income. He has trained more than 10 young people free of charge, many of whom are now using the skills to support themselves and their families.
Ahmed says continuing to listen to Radio Ergo’s daily programmes has helped him build knowledge and develop practical improvements for both his business and his household.
