Sustainable agriculture is improving the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans engaged in crop and animal husbandry. Agnes Mbabazi, CEO of Agrifarm Uganda Limited, has taken this mission personally, striving to revolutionize agriculture in Uganda.
With determination and resilience, Mbabazi fully committed to agriculture in 2007. Over the years, she has transformed many lives. Through Agrifarm Uganda, she not only imports quality seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems but also equips farmers with modern agricultural skills to boost their yields.
A Paradigm Shift
Like many young graduates, Mbabazi hoped for a well-paying job after earning a degree in Management Science and Marketing. Her first job was at Burton Uganda, an agricultural enterprise specializing in horticulture, where she worked as a sales assistant.
The role was demanding, and at times, she considered quitting. However, her resilience kept her going. Eventually, the company sponsored her for a floriculture course in Nairobi, Kenya. While there, she secured a scholarship to study floriculture in Israel, further igniting her passion for agriculture.
COVID-19: A Blessing in Disguise
Upon returning to Uganda, Mbabazi was eager to work with renewed commitment. However, when COVID-19 struck in 2019, her plans were disrupted. Rather than succumb to disappointment, she embraced the crisis as an opportunity, deciding to venture full-time into agriculture.
Leveraging technology, she consulted experts, conducted research, and networked with experienced farmers in Uganda and abroad through Zoom, LinkedIn, and other platforms. These connections helped her make informed decisions in her agricultural journey.
Living Her Dream
A certified agronomist and mentor, Mbabazi now fulfills her dream of becoming one of Uganda’s leading model farmers. She operates an expansive demonstration farm in Wakiso District, where she provides comprehensive training, capacity building, and expert agronomy advisory services.
Today, she is not just a farmer but also one of Uganda’s largest importers and distributors of high-quality agricultural inputs, including organic and inorganic chemicals, fertilizers, irrigation systems, greenhouses, solar dryers, dam liners, and seeds.
Agrifarm Uganda has played a pivotal role in agricultural development, supported by a team of seven agronomists and four irrigation engineers stationed across different regions to offer unparalleled technical support to farmers.
Beyond Agrifarm Uganda, Mbabazi serves as Chairperson of Croplife Uganda, a national association overseeing all importers of agrochemicals and fertilizers in Uganda.
Impacting Lives
With a generous heart, Mbabazi is committed to transforming Ugandan farmers’ lives. She conducts training sessions at her farm and supervises farmers periodically. She has successfully worked with women and youth farming groups like Shika Jemba and Rwenchwera Farmers Groups in Katalyeba, Rwamwanja, and Kamwenge District.
Taking her mission further, she has partnered with the government and other stakeholders to empower refugees in Uganda through agriculture. She has organized field days in Rwamwanja and Kyangwali refugee camps, equipping refugees with modern farming skills and providing them with quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Reflecting on her journey, Mbabazi states, “Agriculture is more than just growing crops; it is about transforming lives. My passion is to empower farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. When farmers succeed, entire communities flourish.”
Note: This article is powered by I’m An Agripreneur, an initiative of Publics Africa Communications aimed at encouraging Ugandan youth to embrace agribusiness and transform their lives.