Uganda agricultural firm wins US award

AGRICULTURE

Agilis Partners (Agilis), a Uganda-based food and agriculture enterprise, is the winner of the 2019 United States Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence in Sustainable Operations (ACE), the State Department announced.

ACE recognizes American-owned companies that lead in spurring the sustainable development of the local communities in which they operate. 

Agilis is a leading wholesaler of grains and pulses sourced from smallholder farmers and its own 13,500 acres of primary production. Through training on sustainable cultivation and post-harvest handling practices, the company empowers rural communities to achieve bigger harvests on healthier soils. Agilis's mission is to empower Ugandans to sustainably feed Africa.

"Agilis is committed to leveraging our unique business model, fuelled by private capital, to transform rural communities and catalyze a more food-secure Africa. We are humbled and honored to have the U.S. Government recognise our efforts," said Benjamin Prinz, Co-Founder of Agilis.

 Established in 1999, the ACE seeks to highlight ways in which companies represent American values in the way they do business, in line with international best practices such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

"Uganda has unique potential to nourish a growing Africa. We are excited to partner with Ugandans to unlock the potential in an inclusive and sustainable way," said Philipp Prinz, Co-Founder of Agilis.

Agilis and its subsidiaries are members of The Grain Council of Uganda, a leading force in formalising the Ugandan grain industry. Progressive policies implemented by President Museveni and Ministries of Agriculture, Trade and Finance have created a positive investment environment for businesses such as  Agilis.

Agriculture is one of the most vital sectors of the Ugandan economy contributing about 20% of its GDP and accounting for about 48% of exports. The agriculture sector employs 73% of the population with close to 4 million households surviving on small-scale farming.

"Over 60% of Ugandans are employed in the agricultural sector but less than 5% are in wage earning jobs in the sector. That means that the population is spending a lot of time in agriculture but not in a commercial setting. We are creating the gateway for employees to flourish," Eduardo Browne, Co-Founder of Agilis  said.