The 11th edition of the Best Farmers Competition was officially launched today at Prime Agro Farm in Zirobwe, Luweero District, under the theme “Value Addition with Focus on Large Scale Farmers and Cooperatives.”
The event, a collaborative effort by dfcu Bank, Vision Group, KLM, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Uganda, and Koudjis, took place at the farm of Sebastian Ruta Ngabwa, the 2023 competition winner.
The annual competition, which has driven agricultural productivity across Uganda for over a decade, now emphasizes value addition to enhance the quality and market competitiveness of farm produce.
This year, winners from various sub-regions will demonstrate innovations in processing, packaging, and branding, promoting better post-harvest practices and higher returns for farmers.
Mathias Jumba, dfcu Bank’s Head of Integrated Channels, highlighted the competition’s role in transforming agriculture into a sustainable enterprise.
“For over 60 years, dfcu has bridged financing gaps, supported value chains, and empowered both large-scale and smallholder farmers,” Jumba said.
He noted that dfcu’s agricultural loans and asset financing have improved farmers’ access to markets, infrastructure, and expertise, enabling them to scale their operations.
Alex Madolo, Sector Head of Agriculture at dfcu Bank, praised the competition’s impact on farmers’ livelihoods and thanked the partners for their unwavering support.
“Vision Group, the Embassy of the Netherlands, KLM, and Koudjis have been integral to this 11-year journey of transforming lives and communities through agriculture,” he said.
The 2025 competition introduces new categories, including Large-Scale Farmers, Small and Medium-Scale Farmers, and Farmer Cooperatives, to broaden its impact.
Through its dfcu Foundation, the bank has supported the agricultural sector significantly. By December 31, 2024, the Foundation’s achievements included:
- Supporting 1,281 agribusinesses with financing and capacity-building programs.
- Providing acceleration support to 490 enterprises for sustainable growth.
- Achieving 52% women inclusion in agribusiness initiatives since 2018.
- Reaching 59,000 beneficiaries through training and financial inclusion.
- Facilitating over $22 million in business linkages for market access.
- Connecting 5,000 enterprises to financial services.
About dfcu Bank
Founded in 1964 as a development finance institution, dfcu Bank has played a pivotal role in Uganda’s economy, supporting sectors such as agribusiness, education, health, and manufacturing.
The bank remains committed to fostering growth and resilience in Uganda’s agricultural sector.