This week, East-West Seed was honoured to engage in high-level discussions in the Netherlands, facilitated by the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Brussels and the Netherlands African Business Council.

A highlight of the mission was meeting with Major General (Rtd) David Kasura-Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) of Uganda. In addition, during a panel on building resilient horticulture and commodity value chains, we discussed the critical drivers for farmer success.

Dialogue with MAAIF

A highlight of the week was our meeting with Major General (Rtd) David Kasura-Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary for the MAAIF of Uganda.

For smallholders to thrive, a strong seed system is only the beginning.

From East-West Seed’s perspective, we emphasized the need for integrated partnerships, particularly with irrigation companies.

Moving away from a total reliance on rain is the only way to ensure farmers achieve a consistent return on investment and year-round productivity.

The importance of agriculture

Our discussions were grounded in the immense economic potential of the “Pearl of Africa.” Agriculture is not just a way of life in Uganda; it is an economic powerhouse:

• GDP contribution: The sector contributes 26.2% to the national GDP.

• Economic momentum: Uganda is seeing a robust growth rate of 6.3%.

• The 2030 vision: Our mission aligns with the government’s National Development Plan, which aims to reduce the poverty rate by 7% by 2030.

By focusing on the “missing middle”- commercial smallholders farming 1 to 2 acres, we are helping turn these national statistics into real-world prosperity for rural communities.

Strengthening the regulatory side

To reach this potential, we addressed the most pressing challenges in the value chain from our perspective. A major focus was the urgent need to formalize and harmonize seed standards across East Africa. Currently, the lack of strong, unified seed laws allows unregulated seeds to flow too easily across borders, from countries like Rwanda or Tanzania, undermining the local sector and the hard work of Ugandan farmers.

Visible progress: Led by East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation

On the other side, real progress is already visible through great initiatives, such as the one led by our Foundation in Northern Uganda. In the Lango region pilot, led by East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, they have proven that smallholders are bankable, achieving a 90% loan repayment rate by using training certification as collateral.

Whether it is the rapid adoption of our drought-tolerant Padma tomato or our long-term commitment to the pumpkin sector, fueled by founder Simon Groot’s $250,000 World Food Prize legacy, we are proving the ROI of quality seeds one farmer at a time.

We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Ugandan stakeholders to support a vegetable sector that is not only sustainable but a leading competitor.