Africa-Press – Uganda. The Best Farmers Awards 2025 once again brought together Uganda’s most outstanding agricultural innovators, celebrating resilience, creativity, and leadership across the sector.
As a long-standing partner, dfcu Bank reaffirmed its commitment to transforming agriculture and uplifting farming communities nationwide.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Kampala, Annette Kiconco, Chief Retail Banking Officer and Head of Agriculture at dfcu, highlighted the bank’s decade-long partnership with Vision Group and other stakeholders.
She noted that dfcu’s 11-year involvement reflects a deliberate investment in strengthening Uganda’s agricultural value chain.
“Agriculture is central to Uganda’s development. Over 60% of households rely on it, it employs approximately 70% of the labour force, contributes 24% to GDP, and accounts for 42% of export earnings largely driven by coffee,” Kiconco said.
“Our partnership with the Best Farmers initiative is intentional. For us, it’s about empowering farmers with finance, knowledge, and opportunities to build sustainable agri-businesses.”
She also reflected on dfcu’s heritage, shaped by its founding Dutch partners Rabobank and the Dutch Development Bank (FMO). “We may have Dutch roots, but we are truly Ugandan. For over 60 years, our purpose has been to transform lives and businesses,” Kiconco added.
Kiconco highlighted the work of the dfcu Foundation formerly the Agriculture Development Foundation which provides capacity building for SMEs and agri-led enterprises.
Through training and mentorship, farmers are equipped to manage agriculture as a business, adopt modern practices, and become bankable.
She pointed to last year’s success story: Elgon Cooperative Union (Bududa). Founder Godfrey Buaya, after a study tour in the Netherlands, returned with new insights, improving governance structures, investing in modern processing facilities, and inspiring transformation within his community.
“This is the true power of the Best Farmers initiative knowledge that transforms not just farms, but entire communities,” Kiconco said.
With presence in 56 districts, including areas where dfcu is the sole banking partner such as Abim and Dokolo, the bank reiterated its commitment to expanding financial access in rural and agrarian communities.
Kiconco also praised the initiative’s partners, noting their complementary roles: “KLM opens markets, dfcu provides finance, New Vision tells your story, and Khoudjis supplies quality feed. This partnership is designed to uplift farmers across Uganda.”
This year’s overall winner, Hood Kiwana Kasirye from Mityana, was recognised for excellence in integrated farming. His 25-acre enterprise, featuring dairy cows, layers, goats, horticulture, and mechanisation, earned him the Shs 50 million grand prize.
Guest of Honour Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime Minister of Uganda, emphasised the importance of value addition in unlocking Uganda’s agricultural potential. “Value addition is critical.
Many of you are already producing products that serve our domestic market and region. Uganda must feed itself, feed the region, and ultimately feed the world,” he said.
Vision Group CEO Don Vincent Wanyama praised dfcu and other partners for their continued support of the initiative.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire farmers, strengthen cooperatives, and uplift the country,” he said.
The 2025 edition of the Best Farmers competition, which ran from March to November, culminated in a vibrant celebration of innovation, excellence, and the limitless potential of Uganda’s farming community.
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