Heifer International awards first AYuTe Africa Challenge winners

Heifer International has awarded three winners of the AYuTe Africa Challenge from Uganda.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge was a national competition offering young entrepreneurs in Uganda the opportunity to pitch for investment in their agritech solutions to boost the income and productivity of

Africa’s smallholder farmers.

The overall winner was Shaduracka Monday who came up with AN Electric Tractor Innovation. He received

Shs 50 million.

The first runner-up, John Charles Nuwagaba of the Solar Water Pump, received  Shs 30 million and the second runner-up, Mike Ssali who came up with a grafting tomato technology received  Shs 15 million.

Fred Bwino, the minister of State for Agriculture, was the guest of honour. He said the government valued innovation especially in the agriculture sector.

"The government of Uganda strongly believes that the youth have the power to drive change with digital innovations that can promote sustainable development and build a better future for Uganda. Today, I am delighted to see the final products from the three winning teams," Bwino said.

William Matovu, the country director of Heifer International said they were overwhelmed by the responses they got from the challenge.

"This is the first year of the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda, and the significant level of interest from startups to participate just demonstrates the type of positive impact we are going to have in the

development of agritech," Matovu said.

Shaduracka Monday, the winner of the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda said he was very excited and honoured to get the award.

"Together with my team, our participation in the challenge was driven by the opportunity to contribute to improving the productivity and livelihoods of small holder farmers across Uganda," he said.