Enkumbi Terimba Aqi Uganda

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Enkumbi Terimba Aqi Uganda empowers smallholder farmers in rural Uganda with affordable, high-quality agricultural inputs, training, and cost-effective distribution to boost yields, reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, and drive food security, income growth, and long-term poverty alleviation.

The distribution model uses a hub-and-spoke system with community-based delivery agents who bring quality maize seeds and fertilizers directly to farmers in Kamuli District, the pilot location, through bulk purchasing and bicycle-powered last-mile delivery. Farmers access inputs on a loan basis, while agricultural extension officers deliver training on modern practices. A unique attribute that sets the venture apart is its integration of peer-to-peer recruitment, where each farmer recruits three more, creating organic growth and strong community ownership of the model, ensuring both rapid scale-up and long-term sustainability.

Enkumbi Terimba Aqi Uganda was founded by Cotilda Khainza and Solomon Springs Mukundane in 2024, and both are full-time founders. Cotilda oversees program implementation, strategic decisions, and partner coordination, while Solomon manages partnerships, farmer outreach, training, and monitoring and evaluation. Together, they bring strong backgrounds in biotechnology, agricultural outreach, and community engagement, ensuring long-term commitment and impact.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 100 farmers during the pilot.

• Distribute two proven interventions, including good-quality maize seeds and fertilizer.

• Fundraise an additional USD 40,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Cotilda Khainza - Founder

Solomon Springs Mukundane - Founder

AGROW

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Agrow empowers smallholder farmers with the knowledge, tools, and market access they need to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and build sustainable livelihoods.

The pilot is based in Lwengo District, Uganda, where Agrow runs a farmer field school to train smallholder farmers in improved maize production, Good Agricultural Practices, fertilizer use, and post-harvest handling. After training, farmers receive bundled inputs of certified seed, fertilizer, and storage bags sourced in bulk through partnerships with agro-input dealers. They then join a cooperative, which supports collective marketing and ensures farmers access reliable buyers at fair prices.

What sets them apart is their training to implementation model that combines practical training, input access, and market linkages, ensuring farmers are well prepared to take off.

The founding team is led by Dr. Alex Onguramong Etoori, an extensionist by trade with extensive experience training farmers in best agricultural practices, and Jacinta Adepyo, an accountant with a strong background in farmer financial management, monitoring and evaluation with a keen focus on agricultural monitoring. Together, they blend technical expertise with business acumen to support smallholder farmers. Their shared passion for sustainable agriculture drives Agrow's mission to improve livelihoods.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 600 people during the pilot.

• Distribute 120 interventions during the pilot.

• Fundraise an additional USD 12,000 within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Dr. Alex Onguramong Etoori - Founder

Jacinta Adepyo - Founder

Lotssy Uganda

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Lotssy connects Ugandan smallholder farmers with quality knowledge, agro-inputs, and markets.

Lotssy Uganda is a social enterprise that is redefining how smallholder farmers access the lifeblood of agriculture: quality inputs, timely advice, and affordable financing. Its community-powered model makes farming more productive, resilient, and inclusive. Lotssy Uganda operates through a decentralized distribution model that connects smallholder farmers in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda with certified quality agro-inputs, training, markets, and affordable financing.

At the core of its approach are trained community-based farmer agents, who serve as microentrepreneurs, ensuring last-mile delivery. Each community-based farmer supports, on average, 30 smallholder farmers per season during the pilot, facilitating the bulk ordering of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and crop protective inputs.

Lotssy Uganda’s model emphasizes last-mile delivery, ensuring farmers receive products and training tailored to their specific needs. They collaborate and leverage Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to provide affordable financing options, allowing farmers to access inputs. Additionally, Lotssy prioritizes education on good agronomic practices and climate resilience strategies, empowering farmers to enhance their productivity sustainably.

Lotssy Uganda’s team is built on a strong foundation of trust and collaboration, stemming from their first meeting at the Rootical Bootcamp in 2023, focused on regenerative agriculture. From that moment, they recognized a shared commitment to addressing the urgent issue of access to quality agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers.

Innocent’s entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement skills drive their outreach efforts, while Brian’s expertise in agricultural finance ensures that they can mitigate risks for farmers. Together, they built Lotssy Uganda with a focus on connecting local input producers to the farmers who need their services the most. They see the gap in the market where many effective local producers struggle to reach their audience.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 100 smallholder farmers successfully reached and served by the community-based agents in 3 months.

• 300 interventions (seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection inputs) successfully distributed among the 100 farmers in the first 3 months.

• $20,000 in additional funding for the business fundraised.

FOUNDING TEAM

Brian Kiprotich - Chief Operations Officer

Innocent Ociti - Chief Executive Officer

Yafika Agri Ventures

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Malawi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Yafika Agri Ventures is boosting the productivity and potential of last-mile subsistence farmers with sustainable agricultural solutions.

Yafika Agri Ventures (YAV) is a social enterprise dedicated to helping subsistence farmers in Mwanza District, Malawi, unlock their agricultural potential and build lasting economic resilience. They provide affordable input bundles on credit, along with hands-on training and ongoing support, so farmers can increase productivity and access better markets.

What truly sets YAV apart is its team of mobile extension agents, who work closely with farmers organised into Village Savings Groups. By delivering services through local hubs within walking distance, they make sure support is affordable, effective and timely, breaking down the barriers of geography and finance that too often hold farmers back.

Yafika Agri Ventures was founded in 2019 by Thomas Chiwaula, a passionate farmer who serves as the full-time CEO. Jacinta Chikalamba is the Project Coordinator, and Jason serves as the Community Development Officer, all working together to drive meaningful change in Malawi’s farming communities.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach and organise 100 subsistence farmers into active village savings groups in three months.

• Using a capable network of mobile extension agents, distribute 100 input bundles in three months.

• Fundraise an additional USD 20,000 within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Thomas Chiwaula - Founder

Jacinta Chikalamba - Project Coordinator

Jason Nthumbwana - Community Development Officer,

Edu Call Uganda

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Edu Call Uganda will improve agriculture services, economic growth and development for women in Uganda.

The organization will adopt a seedling loan model where female small-holder farmers will receive 10kg of maize seeds as a loan to grow on an acre, these grow to ~100kg. The farmers will bring back 20kg as profit raised. They will use the remaining ~80kg to feed their families, as well as sell and replant maize next season.

Edu Call Uganda will provide fertilizers, farmer's training, and market opportunities to increase the competitive advantage of the women.

Thurayyah is Global Health Corps 2018/2019 Fellow, a Lawyer and founded Edu Call Uganda in 2023, with a passion to empower small scale farmers. Dorah holds the position of Project Coordinator because of her fervent commitment to empowering women. This shines through as she spearheads project coordination efforts at Edu Call Uganda.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 150 small-scale female farmers.

• Distribute 1 ton of quality maize seeds, 2.5 tonnes of NPK and 2.5 tonnes of UREA, and 100 litres of acetic acid.

• Raise an additional $3,000 in funding.

FOUNDING TEAM

Thurayyah Zawedde - Team Lead

Dorothy Nanyonjo - Project Coordinator

Creativa

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Democratic Republic of the Congo

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Creativa improves the agricultural landscape by offering high-quality inputs and training to increase yields, boost farmer incomes and ensure food security.

Creativa is dedicated to empowering low-income rice farmers in the Ruzizi Plain, South Kivu, DR Congo, an area selected for the pilot. The initiative focuses on providing access to high-quality agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, combined with comprehensive training tailored to enhance farming practices.

Through this multifaceted approach, Creativa aims to significantly boost agricultural yields and incomes for rice farmers, while also contributing to the broader goals of food security and sustainability in agriculture across the country.

Creativa was started in 2024 by Simbeko Sadi Guy, and Maroy Aksanti Chanceline. Simbeko serves as Creativa's full time project Lead and Maroy serves as Managing Director.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 100 smallholder farmers within three (3) months.

• Distribute 12 proven interventions.

• Raise an additional $78,750 in funding.

FOUNDING TEAM

Simbeko Sadi Guy - Project Lead

Maroy Aksanti Chanceline - Managing Director

Sustainable Outreach Foundation (SOF)

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Cameroon

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Sustainable Outreach Foundation (SOF) seeks to implement the Promoting Resilience in Agriculture for Economic Transformation (PRAET) project, which is an agricultural transformative initiative dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers in the Buea Municipality of Cameroon.

SOF’s model is to partner with agricultural input distribution agents to enhance farmers' productivity, improve livelihoods, and foster economic stability through climate-smart agricultural practices, improved input distribution, and enhanced market access in Buea Municipality.

Sustainable Outreach Foundation (SOF) was started in 2024 by Bomdzele Eric Junior, and Ticha Bizel-Bi Mafor. Eric serves as SOF’s full-time Program Coordinator while Bizel-Bi is the Community Development and Communications Officer.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 100 smallholder farmers within three (3) months.

• Using 2 high-performing distribution agents, SOF will distribute 1500kg of improved seeds and 10,000kg of fertilizers to 100 smallholder farmers.

• Fundraise an additional $5,000 - 10,000 USD from new donors or investors within the three-month pilot phase.

FOUNDING TEAM

Bomdzele Eric Junior - Founder

Ticha Bizel-Bi Mafor - Founder

Ongeza Zao na Pato (OZP)

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Ongeza Zao na Pato (OZP) will enhance farmer yields and income through the provision of quality inputs.

Ongeza Zao na Pato (OZP)’s distribution of quality inputs on credit will be undertaken by selected women and youth groups that come from Gotani and Kaloleni locations as they will know the farmers well.

They will recover the credit from sale of extra surplus, for the best farmgate price, at a rate agreed with the smallholder farmers. They are stepping in to introduce smallholder farmers to growing new drought-resistant legumes that they can commercialize and switch from loss-making maize/corn growing.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 100 beneficiaries during the pilot.

• Distribute 4 proven interventions during the pilot.

• Raise an additional USD 5,000 in funding.

FOUNDING TEAM

Gabriel Mwema Waithaka - Founder

Richard Teah Geegbae - Founder

Margaret Adomako - Founder

TEMO THUO SETHO

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE; Botswana

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Peo-Boswa (Seeds of Heritage) by Temo Thuo Setho is an intervention that will provide quality millet and sorghum seeds and locally manufactured organic fertilizers to 100 farmers with farms of 2 hectares or less in the Chobe Enclave region.

Peo-Boswa will increase access to quality seeds and fertilizers through an agricultural pop-up shop distributing inputs to smallholder farmers. Local partnerships with reputable suppliers will provide a consistent inventory of top varieties of millet, sorghum, and organic fertilizers.

Their model hinges on effectively procuring and distributing quality inputs at scale.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 100 farmers within three months.

• Distribute and enable access to quality indigenous seeds and fertilizers to remote community farmers.

• Fundraise an additional $35000 from local stakeholders and new investors within three months.

FOUNDING TEAM

Bojosi Antonette Ncube - Founder

Lone Nthobelang - Vice Chairperson

Farmtorch

Quality Inputs CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality Agricultural Inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Farmtorch improves access to timely, affordable and quality inputs for smallholder farmers on credit to improve productivity while facilitating market access.

Farmtorch’s model consists of lending smallholder farmers a comprehensive package of essential farming inputs such as seed and fertilizer, and delivering the package to rural access points in time while providing effective farmer training and market linkages through a robust network of Farmer Village Based Advisors or Agents (VBAs).

This is more than a mere transaction; it is a commitment to boosting productivity and cultivating sustainable growth. Thus Farmtorch is not just about farming only; it's about fostering a community-driven ecosystem where knowledge, resources, and support converge to empower the world's smallest farmers on the journey of growth, resilience, transformation and a sustainable future.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Successfully reach and serve 100 smallholder farmers grouped into Farmer Based Organisation.

• Delivering 100 high-quality bundled interventions through a network of 10 trained and equipped Farmer Village Based Agents.

• Raise 20,000 additional funding from new partners with a major focus on Large-scale off-takers and quality input manufacturers.

FOUNDING TEAM

Charles Emongo - CEO

Mukama Faluku - COO

Farmerstack Technologies Limited

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality agricultural inputs

Learn more about the Quality Inputs Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes high-quality seeds could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Farmerstack helps smallholder farmers achieve a more profitable harvest, 2 - 3X better than their average counterparts.

Farmstack’s model pairs asset-based loans with flexible repayment to meet the financing needs of smallholder farmers, who earn the majority of their income after harvest. Instead of providing cash loans, farmers borrow a stack or bundle of top-quality agricultural inputs valued between $100 to $200 per acre and repay the loan within four months after the harvest.

Farmerstack offers a flexible loan repayment system. Clients have only two deadlines: a 10% down payment to receive the loan bundle and a final repayment after the harvest. After the down payment, farmers can make smaller, manageable repayments on their own schedule throughout the season. This flexibility helps them stay on top of their loans and reduces post-harvest pressure.

Farmerstack organizes small-scale farmers and transform them into successful commercial farmers. Currently, Farmerstack is piloting its program in West Budama Central, Tororo district, Eastern Uganda.

Farmerstack was started in 2023 by Phillip SAJJA and Peter ONDUR. Phillip serves as Farmerstack's full-time CEO and Peter is Farmerstack’s full-time CTO. As young boys, they recognized the value of farming, albeit at a subsistence level. Now, as adult farmers, they are determined to make farming more productive and valuable for millions of small-scale farmers through Farmerstack.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 200 smallholder farmers, offer affordable credit rates, lend to them, and ensure a repayment rate of 97% or higher within three months.

• Distribute 200 bundles of high-quality inputs to smallholder farmers, using 5 high-performing distribution officers.

• Fundraise an additional $30,000 USD within three months from new donors, investors or commercial credit

FOUNDING TEAM

Phillip Sajja - CEO

Peter Ondur - CTO

Seedloans

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE CHALLENGE; UGANDA

 PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality agricultural inputs.

Learn more about the Improved Farm Practices Challenge and why increasing the effective use of fertilizer has the potential to unlock significant crop yield for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.  

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Seedloans helps female smallholder farmers in Uganda grow more to feed their families.

The model combines the proven microfinance mechanism with a holistic solution along the entire value chain. One woman receives 10kg of bean seeds as a loan. She plants the seeds in her field, where they grow to ~100kg of beans within three months. After the harvest the woman gives back ~20kg of her beans to Seedloans as an in-kind repayment. She uses the remaining ~80kg to feed her family, sell an extra on the market or replant beans for the next season. Seedloans offers 5kg, 10kg, 15kg and 20kg options to farmers – enough to cover one acre of land, the typical field size of a smallholder.

Elizabeth Nalugemwa is a trained entrepreneur and an Obama foundation leader. Growing up as a daughter of a female rural smallholder, she wanted to empower farmers to overcome the challenges she experienced at home.

Sabrina Kuespert is trained in business administration. She grew her passion for smallholders during her time in agricultural finance at KfW-Developing Bank. Currently she is a strategy consultant at BCG.

Lisa Stolleis is a trained economist and pursues her masters degree in Public Policy at the Hertie School of Governance. She gained experience in international development as intern and consultant at the GIZ and International Trade Centre of the United Nations.

Merlin Stein is a trained economist and collected profound experience in Impact Measurement in several projects during his graduate time at Oxford University. He currently works in strategy consulting at BCG.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 500 smallholder farmers in the pilot period

• Reach 1,000 farmers by the end of year 1 and 8,000 by the end of year 2

FOUNDING TEAM

Elizabeth Nalugemwa - Co-founder and Team Leader

Merlin Stein - Co-founder

Lisa Stolleis - Co-founder

Sabrina Kuesper - Co-founder

AgriEn Network

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE CHALLENGE; ZAMBIA

 PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality seeds and fertilizer as well as transportation of farm produce to market. 

Learn more about the Improved Farm Practices Challenge and why increasing the effective use of fertilizer has the potential to unlock significant crop yield for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.  

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

AgriEn Network will increase access to quality inputs and extension services to smallholder farmers in Zambia to help them grow and earn more.

AgriEn maintains an input distribution system that is anchored on extension services and market linkages in Eastern Zambia. It makes input accessible to farmers through a flexible access model that builds capacity of the farmer to scale their adoption over time. The venture creates opportunities for not only repeat business but sustainability in the adoption of the quality inputs through strategic linkages between farmers and a network of support organizations across the value chain.

AgriEn was founded in 2020 by a dynamic teams consisting of Yvonne Mtumbi Mwanza, Lawrence Shonga, Mwansa Lwanga, and Gordon Mwanza.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 300 smallholder farmers enrolled over the first three months, impacting 1,800 people

• Raise additional $4,000 within first three months

• Reach 6,000 beneficiaries by the end of year 1

FOUNDING TEAM

Yvonne Mtumbi Mwanza - Director

Lawrence Shonga - Business Development Facilitator

Mwansa Lwanga - Communication and Marketing Facilitator

Gordon Mwanza - IT Support Associate

Ibukia Shambani

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE CHALLENGE; TANZANIA

 PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality seeds, fertilizer, and post-harvest storage bags to smallholder farmers

Learn more about the Improved Farm Practices Challenge and why increasing the effective use of fertilizer has the potential to unlock significant crop yield for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.  

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Ibukia Shambani innovates access to the most comprehensive, quality, and productive agricultural inputs to smallholder last-mile farmers.

The social agribusiness enterprise was founded in 2022 by Abdallah Mabrouck, alongside two co-founders, Ayubu Mundekesye and Kelvin Robert. Both team members are experts in the agribusiness sector and have a passion for developing the agricultural sector as a whole.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 100 smallholder farmers at last mile prior to the planting season

• Distribute 1 ton of quality maize seeds, 2.5 tons of DAP, 2.5 tons of UREA, and 100 liters of acetic acid as quality inputs to smallholder farmers in three months

• Fundraise an additional $10,000 from other interested partners and donors in three months

FOUNDING TEAM

Abdallah Mustapha Mabrouck - Project Lead

Ayubu Eliah Mundekesye - Business Development Lead

Kelvin Robert Mwise - Credit Management Lead

ARC-EN-CIEL

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE CHALLENGE; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

 PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality seeds, fertilizer, and post-harvest storage bags) to smallholder farmers

Learn more about the Improved Farm Practices Challenge and why increasing the effective use of fertilizer has the potential to unlock significant crop yield for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.  

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

ARC-EN-CIEL’s mission is to increase agricultural productivity as the major source of income and employment in the South-Kivu province that will help rural communities to move out of poverty.

ARC-EN-CIEL will distribute quality farm inputs (fertilizer, seeds and post-harvest storage bags) to smallholder farmers and provide extension services on better agronomic practices through village savings groups, farmer cooperatives, and existing hardware stores.

The company was started by Waciba Swedi W’amisiand who was joined later by Byamnobe Mlongeca Evariste, Bagula Mukengere Espoir and Joseph Mkakyo Mtambala. Waciba Swedi W'Amisi serves as the Managing Directror who will oversee all days activities of ARC-EN-CIEL

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 100 smallholder farmers trained and given the needed inputs

• 100 inputs packages (seeds and fertilzers) and PICS bags distributed to 100 smallholder farmers

• Raise additional $10,000 within the three months

FOUNDING TEAM

Waciba Swedi W’amisi - Co-Founder and CEO

Byamnobe Mlongeca Evariste - Co-Founder and HR and Finance Manager

Bagula Mukengere Espoir - Co-Founder and Program Leads

NAGO Farmers Support Group Limited

QUALITY INPUTS CHALLENGE CHALLENGE; UGANDA

 PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Quality seeds and fertilizer as well as transportation of farm produce to market. 

Learn more about the Improved Farm Practices Challenge and why increasing the effective use of fertilizer has the potential to unlock significant crop yield for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.  

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

NAGO Farmers Support Group Limited distributes quality farm inputs to smallholder farmers in rural Uganda.

NAGO will identify groups of smallholder farmers, then train and empower their members to use improved farm inputs. The venture will avail improved farm inputs to trained group members and will carry out farmer screening, especially of those buying on credit to determine credit readiness, and then determine repayment method. NAGO will also conduct field visits to farmers to assess their experience with the farm inputs, gather impact stories, and issue repayment reminders. The venture will launch in Jinja district in Eastern Uganda with plan to scale to the neighboring communities.

NAGO co-founders all have experience in working with smallholder farmers. Godfrey Nanzigwa, the Managing Director, worked as Capacity Development Specialist at Grameen Foundation on initiatives that support smallholder farmers and he recently conducted a research project on the role of Agricultural financing, Farmer training and the Performance of smallholder farmers. Elizaphani Nkuutu, the Technical Director, is an Agriculturalist by profession and he previously managed maize projects at Volunteers Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO), and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). Jolly Josephine Nakityo, our Field Manager, previously worked as Field Manager and later as Assistant Field Director with One Acre Fund, a farmer support organization using a model similar to that of NAGO.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 70 Smallholder farmers enrolled over the first three months, reaching 420 people

• Raise additional $10,000 within first three months

• Reach 1,800 beneficiaries by the end of year 1

• Reach 7,200 beneficiaries by the end of year 2

FOUNDING TEAM

Godfrey Nanzigwa - Co-founder and Managing Director

Nkuutu Elizaphani - Co-founder and Technical Director

Jolly Josephine Nakityo - Co-founder and Field Manager