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HARVEST MONEY EXPO 

KAMPALA - DFCU Bank supports farmers in the agribusiness sector by providing financial literacy training, linking them to good markets, and giving them loans to enable them boost their farm production. 

Davis Mutabarusya, the agribusiness specialist at dfcu Bank, told New Vision during the Harvest Money Expo at Kololo that the dfcu agri-production loan has been well-designed and targets farmers involved in primary production and related activities, including marketing and post-harvest handling.

He says that the agricultural production loan enables farmers to acquire working capital to purchase inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and chemicals.

“A farmer can also use the same loan to purchase biological assets such as cows, poultry, and goats. A farmer can also be given a grace period, and paying back is dependent on the farming activity or business cashflows,” Mutabarusya said.

“Since we are in a digital world, we make sure that we post information about the Agri-Production Loan on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter - now X handle, and we have WhatsApp numbers that farmers who wish to acquire a loan can use to reach us,” Mutabarusya said. (All Photos by Sarah Jovita Mirembe)

He added that farmers can access the agri-production loans through the bank’s agricultural officers, who visit farmers to educate them about the loans and guide them through the application process. 

The farmers can easily apply for the loans by visiting any of the dfcu branches across the country or through the bank’s agents. 

“Since we are in a digital world, we make sure that we post information about the Agri-Production Loan on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter - now X handle, and we have WhatsApp numbers that farmers who wish to acquire a loan can use to reach us,” Mutabarusya said.

Davis Mutabarusya, the agribusiness specialist at dfcu Bank, told New Vision during the Harvest Money Expo at Kololo that the dfcu agri-production loan has been well-designed and targets farmers involved in primary production and related activities, including marketing and post-harvest handling.

According to him, the main features of the Agri-Production Loan include a loan tenure of up to 24 months, depending on the farm activity a farmer is doing, and that the loan is available as per the crop calendar. 

He maintains that the eligibility criteria include the farming experience of at least two seasons or the production cycle of the enterprise to be financed, farm location with dfcu branch operation area, engagement in commercial agriculture, and a financeable business proposal. 

He said some of the benefits of this loan include linkage to well-known agricultural supply companies and timely processing periods to ensure that farming activities are carried out.

DFCU Bank was one of the main sponsors at the Harvest Money Expo 2024, which took place from February 23–25 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the theme: “Farming as a Business: Post-Harvest Handling and Innovations.” 

The other sponsors were the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Tunga Nutrition, Engineering Solutions (ENGSOL), Techo Serve, Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Uganda Warehouse Receipt System Authority, KOICA-K-ABIC, dfcu Bank, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, AKVO International, Pepsi, and State House.