Heifer International Plans to Invest UGX100M in Agric-tech Solutions

Heifer Intercontinental has introduced a countrywide ‘AYuTe Challenge’ —a level of competition that will supply younger business owners across Uganda an chance to pitch for investment decision in Agri-tech remedies to increase the incomes and efficiency of Africa’s smallholder farmers. The competitors represents a new phase of Heifer International’s AYuTe Africa Obstacle recognized in 2021 to award money grants annually to the most promising young Agri-tech innovators from throughout Africa.

“This competition gives an opportunity for younger innovators in Uganda to protected the funding and visibility they will need to scale up their Agri-tech methods to achieve millions of farmers across Africa,” Senior Vice President of Africa Packages at Heifer Intercontinental, Adesuwa Ifedi told journalists at a press briefing held at Heifer International head workplaces in Kampala.

Ifedi noted that there is huge possible for economic development and work in agriculture throughout Africa, but new thoughts and technologies are urgently essential. “It’s time for Africa’s tech-savvy youth to use their innovation abilities to transform the sector,” he mentioned.

Like the Regional Champions level of competition, the AYuTe National Champions opposition will offer money and mentorship, helping translate the strength and thoughts of youthful Ugandan Agri-tech innovators into significant impression for smallholder farmers throughout the nation, and supporting winners to improve their firms and profile.

The State Director, Heifer Global Uganda, William Matovu explained, Uganda has a high literacy amount of 76.53% and is a single of the youngest populations globally, which augurs well for the achievements of their AYuTe Africa Obstacle.

“We charm to all youth throughout the state to get concerned in the agribusiness level of competition with impressive methods to significant issues of the smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector,” remarked Matovu. “We search forward to receiving brilliant innovations that can boost agricultural productiveness.”

The Minister of Condition for Countrywide Advice Hon. Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku mentioned the start of the AYuTe Africa Obstacle in Uganda is well timed simply because it is in line with the Countrywide ICT Initiatives Guidance Programme (NIISP) to facilitate an ICT Innovation ecosystem and marketplace for Ugandan ground breaking digital goods.

“Specifically, the AYuTe Africa Challenge is in line with 1 of the essential objectives of the system to promote ICT products, services, and alternatives for enhanced service supply,” stated Kabbyanga.

In her remarks, the Assistant Commissioner of Facts and Interaction, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Field and Fisheries, Ms. Acayo Consolata claimed, much more than ever, the authorities acknowledges the require to carry innovation by young Ugandans to the agriculture scene. She further more pointed out that the governing administration is dedicated to any initiatives that will support increase Uganda’s agriculture sector (which is the backbone of Uganda’s financial state) and direct to the generation of jobs across the agricultural value chain.

Smallholder farmers in Uganda contribute 65% of the agricultural workforce. The AYuTe Africa Problem, as a result, seeks to catalyze this demographic through innovation in agricultural know-how that will slim the productivity gap (Uganda’s reliable yields function at much less than 40% of its attainable possible).

How to Participate in the AYuTe Africa Challenge

Phase 1: History a two-minute online video in an MP4 format with distinct audio introducing by yourself and demonstrating how your innovation functions, what dilemma it seeks to solve, how it can likely translate into significant effects for smallholder farmers throughout the place, and how substantially money you would need to have to bring it to lifestyle.

Move 2: Upload your or publish it on Twitter or Fb tagging Heifer Worldwide Uganda utilizing #AYuTeChallengeUg. Alternatively, you can send your movie to a WhatsApp quantity +256 () 781 608488.

The AYuTe Africa Competitors Uganda Version phone for participation will operate from June 16th to July 14th, 2022.

Stage 3: The most eligible submissions will be shortlisted to participate in a televised pitching exhibit and will be selected to be aired on NTV.

Around UGX100 million will be shared among the winners. The in general winner will be topped The AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda Champion and will obtain UGX50 million though the 1st and 2nd runner-up will get UGX30 million and UGX15 million respectively. In addition, Heifer Global will hand out two consolation prizes for UGX2.5 million.

On best of the prize cash, 20 Agri-tech innovators will have premium access to Famunera Digital Export Market for 12 months.

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