By Nathan Eyagu 

Zirobwe, Luweero District - Dfcu Bank, in collaboration with Vision Group, KLM, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Uganda, and Koudjis, yesterday launched the 11th edition of the Best Farmers Competition at Prime Agro Farm in Zirobwe, Luweero District. This year’s edition runs under the theme “Value Addition with Focus on Large Scale Farmers and Cooperatives.”

The launch event was hosted at Prime Agro Farm Ltd., the agricultural enterprise owned by Sebastian Ruta Ngabwa, the 2023 Best Farmers Competition winner. The farm served as a fitting venue to highlight the transformative potential of farming excellence in Uganda.

Over the past decade, the Best Farmers Competition has become a cornerstone initiative in promoting agricultural innovation and productivity across the country. This year’s focus on value addition seeks to encourage farmers to enhance the quality, packaging, and market appeal of their products—boosting profitability and sustainability.

Speaking at the launch, Mathias Jumba, Head of Integrated Channels at dfcu Bank, emphasized the bank’s long-standing commitment to the agricultural sector.

“The Best Farmers Competition celebrates Uganda’s most impactful farmers, and in doing so, inspires many more to turn agriculture from mere survival to sustainable prosperity. For over 60 years, dfcu has been a steadfast partner to Uganda’s farmers and agribusinesses. Our focus remains on bridging financing gaps, supporting value chains, and uplifting both large-scale agribusinesses and smallholder farmers across all regions,” said Jumba.

He added that through innovations like agricultural loans and asset financing, dfcu has empowered thousands of farmers to access markets, infrastructure, and expertise necessary to expand and scale their operations.

Alex Madolo, Sector Head for Agriculture at dfcu Bank, reiterated the bank’s integral role in transforming Uganda’s agricultural landscape.

“We are privileged to witness the transformation of farmers’ lives and livelihoods through access to finance and training. At dfcu, we see ourselves not just as a financial services provider, but as a committed partner in the growth and success of businesses across Uganda,” said Madolo.

He also commended the consistency of the competition’s partners—Vision Group, the Embassy of the Netherlands, KLM, and Koudjis—for their unwavering support throughout the competition’s 11-year journey.

This year, the competition has introduced new categories, including Large-Scale Farmers, Small and Medium-Scale Farmers, and Farmer Cooperatives. Participants from various regions will be required to demonstrate how they are adding value to their products through processing, branding, and packaging. This approach is aimed at promoting best practices in post-harvest handling and maximizing returns from agricultural produce.

Through its agricultural development arm, the dfcu Foundation, the bank has made substantial contributions to the sector. By the end of 2024, the Foundation had supported 1,281 agribusiness enterprises through a mix of debt financing and capacity-building programs. Acceleration support was provided to 490 enterprises, with tailored mentorship and business development assistance.

Since 2018, dfcu Foundation has achieved a 52 percent women inclusion rate, highlighting its commitment to gender equality. The Foundation has reached over 59,000 beneficiaries through training and advisory services, facilitated more than 22 million US dollars in business linkages, and connected over 5,000 enterprises to financial services, boosting their growth and resilience.

Established in 1964 as a development finance institution, dfcu Bank has played a vital role in Uganda’s economic development. The bank has supported multiple sectors, including agribusiness, health, education, manufacturing, real estate, and trade. Today, dfcu continues to lead with innovative financial solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and communities across the nation.

As the 11th edition of the Best Farmers Competition kicks off, dfcu and its partners reaffirm their dedication to transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector—one farmer at a time.