Officials from dfcu, Vision Group, the Netherlands Embassy and other partners flagging off the best farmers to the Netherlands dfcu Bank, in partnership with Vision Group, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Koudijs BV, on Thursday officially flagged off the winners of the 2024 Best Farmers Competition for a transformative, week-long study tour in the Netherlands.Speaking at the event held at the dfcu Tower in Nakasero, Kampala, Frederieke Quispel, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, wondered why Uganda isn’t the world’s leading exporter of agricultural products. She said that “Uganda has everything.”“What is stopping you (Uganda) from becoming the world’s largest exporter of agricultural produce?” she asked Ugandans.The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agricultural products after the United States of America.Quispel says Uganda has the potential to export agricultural products to the world. She appealed to dfcu Bank to give more loans to women farmers. “Access to finance is very critical,” she said. According to Quispel, her embassy will work hard to have as many youths as possible joining the agricultural sector. “There is no money in boda-boda,” said Quispel.Her speech was prompted by that of dfcu Bank Managing Director, Charles Mudiwa.“How do we get young people into farming?” wondered Mudiwa. “Uganda is endowed. Beautiful weather. Fresh waters. And people.”Mudiwa described as a seed the Bank’s investment in the best farmers initiative. “Ugandan farmers have an appointment with the future. We will support you,” he said.Since the beginning of the year, Mudiwa said dfcu Bank has reached out to 1,281 farmers, trained 490 of them, reached 59,000 beneficiaries, and put in 22 million dollars in agriculture linkages.“Be our great ambassadors. Share with our Dutch farmers the best of Uganda,” said Mudiwa.The farmers picked from across the country and across the different value chains.Of the 10 original farmers, four are into cattle keeping, milk production, and value addition. Last year, Uganda produced 5.3 billion liters of milk, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The Netherlands is one of the world’s major players in the dairy sector.Other farmers on the trip are into beekeeping, poultry, goat rearing, maize production, and coffee, among others.3 categories joined the trip after cooperatives were introduced last year. NUCAFE, Elgon Farmers Cooperative, and Dairy Farmers Network will be represented on the trip.Speaking as chief guest, Stephen Byantware, the Commissioner of Crop Protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), who represented the Permanent Secretary of MAAIF, said, “Initiatives like this (best farmers) help go a long way in developing the agriculture sector.”“Carry with you a good picture of Uganda,” he urged the farmers. “Be positive ambassadors of Uganda. Tell them about the opportunities in our agriculture sector. Pick up as much knowledge and bring it back home. Don’t be selfish when you return. Invite farmers to your farm and educate them on what you have learned. You will achieve more if you work with others.”Paul Owori, one of the best farmers of 2023 recalled his trip to the Netherlands.“It is a fun-filled trip. You will enjoy it. Don’t return and sleep. Impact other communities. After acquiring all this knowledge, come back and share with other farmers,” said Owori. The post Netherlands Ambassador: What’s Stopping Uganda From Becoming World’s Largest Exporter of Agricultural Products? appeared first on Business Focus.