dfcu Bank, Vision Group, and Partners Launch 11th Edition of Best Farmers Competition with Focus on Value Addition Over the years, the competition has significantly contributed to increased agricultural production on farms countrywide. This year, the focus shifts towards value addition, with an emphasis on enhancing the quality and marketability of farm outputs..

dfcu Bank in partnership with Vision Group, KLM, Embassy of Netherlands in Uganda, and Koudjis has today launched the 11th edition of the Best Farmers Competition at Prime Agro Farm in Zirobwe, Luweero District under the theme ‘’Value Addition with Focus on Large Scale Farmers and Cooperatives’’.

Over the years, the competition has significantly contributed to increased agricultural production on farms countrywide. This year, the focus shifts towards value addition, with an emphasis on enhancing the quality and marketability of farm outputs.

All winners from the various sub-regions will be required to showcase how they add value to their products, demonstrating innovations in processing, packaging, or branding. Through this approach, the competition aims to promote proper post-harvest handling practices and ensure that farmers maximize returns from their produce.

Speaking during the launch, Mathias Jumba, Head of Integrated Channels at dfcu, said,” 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. “

He added, ‘’ In 2023, with support from Rabobank, we established a dedicated agribusiness unit. Our goal was to bridge the financing gap, support value chains, and uplift both large-scale agribusinesses and smallholder farmers across the country. Through innovations such as agricultural production loans and asset financing, the bank has provided not only capital but also a strong foundation for growth and expansion to thousands of farmers. As a result, farmers now have better access to markets, infrastructure, and expertise, enabling them to scale their operations and achieve their dreams’’.

In his remarks, Alex Madolo, Head for Agriculture at dfcu Bank noted, ‘’We are privileged to witness the transformation of farmers’ lives and livelihoods through access to finance and training, made possible by our partners. At dfcu Bank, we see ourselves not just as a financial services provider, but as a committed partner in the growth and success of businesses across Uganda.

‘’Our approach is rooted in collaboration as we aim to co-create with you by understanding your unique business needs and delivering bespoke solutions. These include access to finance, savings, investment opportunities, and specialized training, particularly for those in the agriculture sector. Over the years, we have supported several farmers with asset financing, production loans, and capacity-building opportunities through strategic partnerships, including initiatives with Best Farmers’’. He added.

Making his remarks, Gerves Ndyanabo, Deputy Managing Director at Vision Group, lauded the Embassy of the Netherlands for its support of the transformational trip to the Netherlands. He revealed that many winners of the Best Farmers competition who have traveled there return forever changed. Some even express a desire to fund their individual trips to experience the same exposure again, as the ideas, innovations, and practical knowledge gained from such experiences are priceless

‘’At Vision Group, we invest UGX 1.7 billion annually in media coverage for the Best Farmers competition. This year, we are intentionally focusing on large-scale farmers, small and medium-sized farmers, and cooperatives. While previous editions highlighted small and medium-sized farms, this year’s competition broadens that focus. Today, as we launch the competition, we are also launching a comprehensive media campaign. All the necessary information on how to enter, requirements, and where to go will be widely publicized’’ he concluded.

For 2025, new competition categories have been introduced as these include, Large-Scale Farmers, Small and Medium-Scale Farmers and Farmer Cooperatives.

Through its agricultural sector support arm, the dfcu Foundation, formerly Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC), dfcu Bank has made strides in transforming Uganda’s agribusiness. As of December 31st, 2024, the Centre recorded remarkable achievements in empowering agribusiness enterprises and farmers across the country.

Key achievements include:

• Support to 1,281 agribusiness enterprises through a combination of debt financing and capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing productivity and operational efficiency.
• Acceleration support for 490 enterprises, enabling them to scale and sustain growth through tailored mentorship and business development interventions.
• A 52% women inclusion rate achieved since 2018, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in agribusiness.
• A total outreach of 59,000 beneficiaries, demonstrating a far-reaching impact on the sector through training, advisory services, and financial inclusion.
• Facilitation of over $22 million in business linkages, fostering stronger market access, trade opportunities, and commercial partnerships.
• Connection of over 5,000 enterprises to financial services, including access to credit and banking solutions, helping drive growth and resilience among agribusinesses.