When the KLM flight departs Entebbe Airport tonight, among the passengers will be 13 of Uganda’s 2024 Best Farmers.
The group, flagged off on October 2 at the dfcu Bank offices, is heading to the Netherlands for a week of hands-on learning, global networking, and exposure to agricultural innovation.
From dairy and coffee to pumpkins and poultry, these trailblazers will gain insights from one of the world’s most advanced agricultural nations — and return home ready to grow Uganda’s farming future.
According to Josephat Byaruhanga, the senior agriculture policy officer at the Embassy of the Netherlands and team leader for the trip, the farmers will return on October 11.
The Best Farmers
Competition, organised by Vision Group, is sponsored by the Embassy of the Netherlands, dfcu Bank, KLM Airlines and Koudijs Nutrition BV.
Each year, the winners share sh150m in prize money and receive an all-expenses[1]paid learning tour to the Netherlands.
Since the competition began in 2014, 121 winners have been selected, with 111 having previously traveled to the Netherlands.
Packed week ahead
According to Michel Hillen from Emerging Markets for Africa — the organization contracted by the Dutch government to host the farmers — here is what the group will experience:
SUNDAY (arrival)
- Arrival in Amsterdam
- Boat tour of Amsterdam
- Welcome dinner
MONDAY
- Visit to Koudijs/De Heus livestock feed processing facility (De Heus recently opened a fish feed factory in Njeru, near Jinja).
TUESDAY (specialized visits)
Farmers will split into four groups based on their areas of expertise:
- Coffee Group: Visit We Wonder Company and a coffee roaster
- Dairy Group: Visit Ante BV (dairy equipment) and Friesland (Dutch dairy hub)
- Poultry Group: Visit Vencomatic Poultry Equipment and Angel Eggs Hatchery
- Crops Group: Visit Tijms Irrigation & Mechanisation and a biogas company
WEDNESDAY
- Hands-on training at farms with PUM (Dutch senior experts)
- Visits to Friesland (dairy), Limburg (poultry) and Goslings (coffee)
THURSDAY
- A matchmaking session with potential Dutch business partners
- Afternoon sightseeing
FRIDAY
- Visit to Insect Engineers
- Shopping and sightseeing
Meet the Best Farmers
The 13 farmers traveling to the Netherlands include:
- Prof. Paul Kibwika – Overall Winner
- Brenda Tusiime – 1st Runner-Up (Kabarole)
- Meridah Nandudu – 2nd Runner-Up (Bulambuli)
- Abbas Sekajja – Wakiso/Luwero
- Tom Okao – Lira
- Janny Oyella – Gulu
- Joyce Omiat – Bukedea
- Emmanuella Oroma – Nebbi
- Allen Atuhaire – Sheema
- Joseph Nkandu – NUCAFE
- Godfrey Bwaya – Elgon Coffee Growers
- Apollo Gabazira – Iganga
- Martha Matovu Namabiro – DAFAN
What farmers hope to learn
Allen Atuhaire, Fresh Farm, Dairy & Yoghurt
I am excited to network and learn poultry farming techniques to improve Uganda’s industry.
Godfrey Bwaya, Elgon Farmers’ Cooperative
We’ve been selling parchment coffee. I want to learn value addition to boost incomes and transform communities.
Meridah Nandudu, Bayaaya Specialty Coffee
I am keen on modern coffee processing technologies and connecting with roasters to explore market opportunities.
Brenda Tusiime, Mema Agro-organic, Fort Portal
I want to learn how Dutch farmers add value to pumpkins and adapt those technologies to Ugandan households.
Prof. Paul Kibwika, Emerge Integrated Farm LTD
I am seeking partnerships and agro-processing tools to improve productivity and efficiency.
Abbas Sekajja, Sekajja Agro Farms LTD
I want to learn how to build a sustainable farm that lasts generations.
