Celebrating Farmer Certification in Lira, Uganda
LIRA, UGANDA – A milestone event marked a new chapter for smallholder farmers in Uganda as 20 determined vegetable farmers—representing their respective subcounties—were certified by East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT). This certification is more than a piece of paper; it represents hard-earned knowledge, field-tested skills, and a pathway to financial inclusion that can transform farming livelihoods.
The event, held in the heart of Lira District, brought together farmers, agricultural officers, financial partners, and development professionals who have been working together under the Piloting Access to Finance for Smallholder Farmers in (Northern) Uganda project. Co-funded by Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, this project is equipping farmers with improved vegetable production techniques and facilitating access to finance.
From Knowledge to Certification
Joshua Mwanguhya, EWS-KT’s Knowledge Transfer Manager for Uganda, kicked off the event by outlining the purpose and vision of the program. “Through this initiative, we are not just training farmers; we are opening doors to finance and opportunity,” he said. “The ADA project is here to bridge the gap between knowledge and investment. Farmers need finance, and we are working to ensure that training leads to trust—with financial institutions willing to invest in our farmers.”
Under the project, EWS-KT trains farmers in good agricultural practices and certifies them only after they pass a technical test and demonstrate that they are applying what they’ve learned. To date, 2,497 farmers have been trained. Of these, 1,380 farmers have been assessed, with 85% passing the knowledge test and becoming eligible for certification.
Unlocking Access to Credit
Richard Wanyama, Advisor for Rural Finance Solutions at Financial Access Consulting Services (FACS), explained FACS’s crucial role in making this system work: “Our job is to increase the appetite of financial institutions to give loans to farmers. We do this by providing reliable data and credit scoring based on real farming practices.”
One of those financial institutions is Centenary Bank, represented at the event by Polline Apio, Credit Administrator. “We want to know that the farmer is ready—that they know what they are doing,” she shared. “We visit the farms, assess the risks, and release funds in phases. We want you to succeed.” To date, more than 115 farmers have applied for loans from Centenary Bank, and over 40 have already received them.
Farmer Voices and Inspiring Journeys
During the event, certified farmers took the stage to share their journeys. Alex talked about how a loan of 800,000 Ugandan shillings is helping him scale his operations from an income of 4 million shillings to an expected 7 million shillings this season. “I encourage my fellow farmers—take the loan, use it wisely, and you’ll see the results,” said Alex.
Another farmer, Flora Akulu, spoke with confidence. “Before EWS-KT, I didn’t know you could use simple techniques and get such high yields. Now I have a nursery, and when Centenary Bank visits, I know I’ll qualify—I have the knowledge, thanks to East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer.”
A Vision for the Future
Elijah Mwashayenyi, EWS-KT’s Head of Knowledge Transfer in Africa, delivered a passionate message: “Bury money in the soil, or get money from the soil—this is the power of knowledge and the right partnerships. We are grateful to work with like-minded institutions that believe in the potential of smallholder farmers.”
Stuart Morris, Executive Director of EWS-KT, reflected on the transformation: “When I first visited Lira, vegetable yields were low, and the challenges were many. Today, vegetable production is a real business. EWS-KT has played a role in that change—but access to finance was the missing link. Now, we have confidence in the farmers and confidence in the bank. If this pilot works, everyone benefits. Let’s make it work.”
Lira District Production and Marketing Officer Thomas Okello closed the ceremony with a nod to how far the community has come. “Before the intervention from East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer, it was very challenging—we had to import vegetables from other regions. Now, Lira is growing its own, with pride,” he said.
This certification event in Lira is just a glimpse of what’s possible when training, trust, and financial inclusion come together. With over 8,000 farmers expected to benefit from this project, the future of Uganda’s vegetable sector looks promising.
