Banks at Harvest Money Expo to support farmers with loans, insurance and skills
From February 27 to March 1, 2026, financial institutions showcased products tailored to reduce farming risks, expand access to credit and build farmers’ skills.
As the Harvest Money Expo 2026 closed and the hum of dismantled exhibition tents began, one message lingered: modern farming requires more than seeds and rain. (Photos by Richard Sanya)
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The scent of fresh soil and roasted chicken drifted through the air as farmers, bankers, and agribusiness players gathered under white tents at the Vision Group Harvest Money Expo at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
Neatly arranged trays of tender seedlings of avocado, bananas, coffee, vegetables and fruit trees glowed bright green in the sun, symbolising hope for the next planting season.
Amid displays of gleaming irrigation equipment and buzzing conversations about yields and markets, banks delivered a message that they are not just opening accounts, but they are walking the agricultural journey with farmers. From February 27 to March 1, 2026, financial institutions showcased products tailored to reduce farming risks, expand access to credit and build farmers’ skills.
Reaching the smallholder
Romalo Lubega, the relationship manager - agriculture at dfcu Bank, said the bank is deliberately reaching out to smallholder farmers, especially those just starting out. “We are focusing on financial inclusion,” Lubega said.
“Through the dfcu Foundation, we train smallholder farmers in financial literacy, value addition and good agronomic practices. We teach them how to save and manage their income.”
After training, farmers are assessed for eligibility for the dfcu Mobi Loan an automated loan solution accessible via internet banking.
The product allows customers to receive instant short-term loans without collateral and repay conveniently using their mobile phones. For farmers without smartphones, Lubega explained, the service is accessible using the code *240#, ensuring that even those in remote areas without internet data can access credit.
“The more a farmer transacts, the higher their loan limit grows,” he said.
Affordable credit and modern equipment
Among the key products on offer is the Agriculture Credit Facility at an interest rate of 12% per annum. The facility enables farmers to access affordable credit to invest in irrigation systems, tractors, drones, processing machines, cold storage facilities and fertilisers.
Lubega said the bank is supporting exporters with financial guarantees, Local Purchase Order (LPO) financing and forex hedging services to cushion them against foreign exchange fluctuations. But access to credit alone is not enough, he cautioned.
“Many farmers do not keep proper records. Without records, it is difficult to analyse production trends, measure growth or identify weaknesses,” Lubega said.
He added that informal operations, where farms are not registered as businesses limit farmers’ ability to access financing.
He urged farmers to keep records, embrace banking to reduce the risks of carrying cash and improve post-harvest handling to minimise losses. Dfcu, he added, is working to expand banking agents into rural areas to reach unbanked farmers.
“We encourage farmers to form groups and register as community-based organisations. In a group of 20 farmers, at least one should be able to read and write to help with record keeping,” he advised.
Centenary Bank’s wide product range
At a nearby stall, Innocent Tumwesigye, the manager business banking at Centenary Bank Ntinda branch, outlined the bank’s strong focus on agriculture. Tumwesigye said the bank supports smallholder farmers, small and medium enterprises and large-scale commercial farmers.
Among its products are micro-agriculture loans starting from as low as sh100,000 and the Agriculture Credit Facility, supported by the Bank of Uganda, offering up to sh2.1b for qualifying farmers.
The bank provides asset financing at 12% per annum to help farmers acquire tractors, ploughs and seed trucks. Youth in agriculture can access Agriculture Youth Loans at 10% per year, while women farmers benefit from the Super Woman Account, tailored to support female entrepreneurs.
Savings products include CenteOrdinary Savings Account, Cente SACCO Accounts, Cente VSLA Savings Account, Savings Linked Loans and agricultural equipment financing. Tumwesigye encouraged farmers to open bank accounts, embrace insurance to shield themselves from unpredictable weather and market shocks and formalise their operations to unlock larger financing opportunities.
Beyond banking
As the Harvest Money Expo 2026 closed and the hum of dismantled exhibition tents began, one message lingered: modern farming requires more than seeds and rain.
It demands financial knowledge, structured planning and protection against risks. At the Expo, banks signalled that they are ready to till that ground alongside Uganda’s farmers, providing not just money, but the tools and knowledge to turn hard work in the fields into sustainable prosperity.
The bankers cautioned farmers against diverting loan funds, urging them to use the money strictly for the purposes for which it was acquired to ensure productivity and timely repayment.