Harvest Money: Netherlands Embassy, Vision Group explore new phase of partnership

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The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Vision Group have signaled plans to deepen collaboration around Uganda’s agriculture sector through the Harvest Money initiative.

The diplomats and media executives met at a luncheon hosted by the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Frederieke Quispel, at the ambassador's residence on Prince Charles Drive in Kololo.

The event brought together diplomats alongside senior managers from Vision Group. Speaking during the event, John Eremu, the Manager of New Vision Foundation, the charity and social enterprise arm of Vision Group, said the gathering was aimed at strengthening existing cooperation and exploring new opportunities around Harvest Money, Vision Group’s flagship agricultural campaign and expo.

“We are here to see how we can collaborate more on Harvest Money and also to thank many of you for your willingness to come during the Harvest Money Expo and witness what was really happening out there,” Ambassador Quispel said.

She noted that the Netherlands had enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with Vision Group and expressed optimism about expanding the partnership into a new phase.

“The Netherlands really feels that we have been working with New Vision for a long time, and we have enjoyed it so very much, and we believe it’s time for a new phase,” she said.

Quispel highlighted Uganda’s growing agricultural and economic potential, saying the country continues to attract interest from international markets due to the range of products produced locally.

“Uganda is growing, and the potential is enormous. We all come from various countries, which are importing various products produced here in Uganda,” she added.

The ambassador called for broader international participation in future Harvest Money activities, expressing hope that more global partners would join next year’s engagements.

“I think today is an exciting moment to thank you, but also to see what we can do together next, and we would like to see more international participation. Let us hope that there will be more activities from other partners next year,” she said.

The event was attended by Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Don Wanyama, the newly-appointed Editor-in-Chief, Sidney Miria Babanga, Head of Sales Hope Nuwagaba Mugyenyi, Head of Marketing and Communications Lorraine Tukahirwa, as well as other guests and diplomats.

Harvest Money has, over the years, grown into one of Uganda’s most prominent agricultural knowledge-sharing platforms, bringing together farmers, agribusiness players, policymakers and development partners to promote modern farming practices, value addition and commercial agriculture.