For Ann Anguyo, winning the 2025 Best Farmers Award was more than recognition of her achievements, but it also accelerated her ambition to build a modern, commercially competitive and viable poultry enterprise in Arua. With UGX 7 million received through dfcu Bank from the Awards already invested in securing her new farm, Ann now eyes a dfcu agricultural credit facility to finance silos and machinery required for expansion with a UGX900 million investment.
We sat down with Ann to explore her journey right from being recognised at the 2025 Best Farmers Awards to accessing opportunities for agricultural financing and gaining valuable exposure to advanced farming practices in the Netherlands. She shares how these experiences are shaping her approach to commercial agriculture, the role access to finance can play in unlocking growth for Uganda’s farmers, and her plans to scale her poultry enterprise through technology, infrastructure and greater efficiency.
Q: What kind of farming do you do, and where are you located?
Ann: I am involved in poultry farming, pea growing, and vegetable farming, and I am based in Arua. My major focus now is poultry, particularly broilers and layers. Currently, I produce about 1,000 broilers every two weeks, and I am expecting 10,000 layers. I am also putting up a structure with a capacity of 60,000 layers.
Q: How has dfcu Bank’s agriculture financing supported the growth of your farming enterprise, and which specific investments have benefited?
Ann: Before the Best Farmer Awards, I already had an account for my farm with dfcu Bank. I would deposit my money there, and any grants I received would also pass through that account. Personally, I have not yet accessed a credit facility, but that is something I am currently discussing with dfcu bank branch in Arua because I need to acquire silos. As I grow the poultry business, I intend to acquire silos and additional machinery from China. I am already in discussions with the dfcu branch in Arua about the facility that would best suit me because a significant amount of money is required for the business.
Through the Best Farmer Award, I also received UGX 7 million through dfcu Bank. I used that money to purchase chain-link fencing for my new farm.
Q: From your experience, what should dfcu bank do differently or do more of to make agricultural financing more accessible and transformative for women farmers? What would you say to a woman farmer who is hesitant to approach the bank for financing?
Ann: Training farmers to become bankable is essential. Farmers must understand borrowing and use loans strictly for their intended purpose to avoid financial difficulties. My message, especially to women farmers, is, do not fear borrowing. Used productively, financing can grow your farm. I initially underestimated the investment required for my 60,000-capacity poultry project. Machinery cost nearly US$68,000 and about US$75,000 including shipping to Arua, while the overall investment, including construction and power infrastructure, is approaching UGX 900 million. I now believe that borrowing at a good interest rate, investing wisely, and allowing the business to repay the loan is worthy.
Q: The Best Farmers Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and impact. What key practices, innovations, or business strategies set you apart and contributed to your recognition?
Ann: For me, the greatest impact has been inspiring young people. In 2021, I founded SLAY Farmers, reaching more than 250 young people in Arua and encouraging them to view agriculture as a business, not an activity for the poor or disadvantaged. Arua’s proximity to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo presents significant market opportunities, as both countries depend on Uganda for food. We have the capacity to produce food, create employment, and reduce dependency. Seeing young people embrace agriculture and hearing that my work on TikTok and Facebook inspires others matters more to me than financial returns alone.
Q: Visiting the Netherlands was one of the highlights of the Best Farmers programme. Before the trip, what were your expectations, and what were you most keen to learn or experience?
Ann: For me, learning is a continuous process as it never stops. My expectation was to go there and see what the Dutch are doing differently because the Netherlands is a major player in agriculture globally. I wanted to understand what I could learn from them. One of the biggest lessons I took away was about building generational wealth. Most of the farms and businesses we visited have existed for more than 50 or even 100 years. That made me think about how I can involve my children and help them understand the vision I have for this business so that, one day when I am no longer there, the business does not go to waste.
Q: Which agricultural practices or technologies you saw in the Netherlands are most relevant to your enterprise, and how do you plan to adapt or implement them?
Ann: The first thing that stood out to me was the level of automation on the farms, for example, automated feeders, automated egg collection systems, and automated drinkers. When these processes are handled manually, even maintaining biosecurity can become a challenge. That was one of the biggest lessons I brought home. When I returned, I decided that I needed to upgrade my farm immediately. I have since been able to procure automated cages, automated drinkers, and automated feeders.
Q: Did the Netherlands visit create any opportunities for collaboration, such as business partnerships, market linkages, technology adoption, or knowledge exchange?
Ann Anguyo: Yes, particularly in terms of technology adoption and knowledge exchange. I was able to meet a team in the Netherlands, and I am expecting two farmers from the Netherlands to visit my farm at the end of this month. They will visit the farm and train my team. I am also inviting other farmers in the area who are interested in poultry farming to come and learn from them.
Q: Looking ahead, what opportunities in Uganda’s agriculture sector excite you the most, and what changes or support do you believe are needed to accelerate growth and competitiveness?
Ann: The biggest opportunity is the market. We have a significant market locally because Ugandans consume food, but there is also a major opportunity in cross-border trade. That is something we need to focus on and determine how best to tap into.
