DFCU Bank, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Koudijs BV, has officially flagged off the winners of the 2024 Best Farmers Competition for a week-long study tour in the Netherlands.
The ceremony, held at DFCU Bank’s Head Office in Nakasero, marked ten years of celebrating agricultural excellence in Uganda, a sector that employs 70% of the working population and contributes about 24% of GDP.
The 13 winners, drawn from diverse agricultural value chains, will visit some of the world’s most advanced farms, cooperatives, and processing facilities.
Their trip is designed to expose them to best practices in mechanisation, branding, sustainable farming, and competitiveness in international markets.
Speaking at the ceremony, dfcu Bank CEO Charles Mudiwa said the Best Farmers Competition had become a powerful driver of agricultural transformation.
“The Best Farmers Competition has become more than an award; it is a vehicle for transformation. Each year, we see Ugandan farmers evolve into champions of agribusiness, ready to scale their enterprises and inspire others.
The Netherlands, a global leader in agricultural innovation, offers our winners invaluable lessons that will help position Ugandan farmers as key players in feeding our nation and competing in international markets,” he said.
Uganda’s agricultural sector remains one of Africa’s most promising. In FY 2023/24, the country exported more than 6.1 million 60kg bags of coffee, earning over Shs 3.9 trillion (€930 million). Fisheries generated Shs 2.4 trillion (€570 million) in export revenue, while the dairy industry brought in more than Shs 1.9 trillion (€450 million).
Uganda also stands as Africa’s largest producer of bananas, yet only 35% of its arable land is under cultivation, and just 2% is irrigated, underscoring untapped potential.
Frederieke Quispel, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, urged farmers to take advantage of Uganda’s natural endowments.
“People say that God created earth but the Dutch made the Netherlands. I think this is not right. Much as we are the second-largest exporter of agricultural produce to the UK, there are natural things we lack.
Uganda has fertile land, abundant rainfall, Lake Victoria, and the River Nile. You can take advantage of this and even replace the Netherlands,” she said.
Stephen Byantware, Commissioner for Crop Protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, reminded the winners of their role as ambassadors.
“I urge farmers travelling to the Netherlands to be ambassadors of Uganda by showcasing the opportunities we offer and the quality of our export products. The Netherlands, although small, stands as the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products due to its strong investment in technology and innovation. Learn from their best farming practices, bring back that knowledge, and share it with fellow farmers at home,” he said.
DFCU Bank, through the dfcu Foundation, has played a central role in supporting agribusiness. By December 2024, the bank had supported 1,281 agribusiness enterprises with financing and capacity building, provided acceleration support to 490 enterprises, and ensured 52% women participation since 2018.
More than 59,000 beneficiaries have been reached with training and advisory services, and over USD 22 million (Shs 85 billion/€20.3 million) has been facilitated in agribusiness linkages. More than 5,000 enterprises have also been connected to financial services tailored to agriculture.
Now in its 11th year since inception in 2014, the Best Farmers Competition has spotlighted hundreds of success stories. Many past winners have expanded their farms, established agro-processing plants, and created jobs in their communities.
The 2024 winners include Professor Paul Kibwika, Brenda Tusiime, Meridah Nandudu, Abbas Ssekajja, Janny Winfred Oyella, Allen Atuhaire, Apollo Gabazira, Joyce Omait, Emmanuela Oroma, Tom Okao, Godfrey Bwaya, and cooperative leaders Joseph Nkandu and Martha Namabiro Matovu.
As they embark on their journey to the Netherlands, the farmers carry not only their own success stories but also the aspirations of Uganda’s farming communities.
They are expected to return with fresh knowledge that will strengthen Uganda’s push to become a regional food hub and a competitive global player in agriculture.