Farmers under our Sustainable Agriculture & Livelihoods programme participated at the first-ever inaugural Agri-Business Forum held at the Buliisa District headquarters on 08th July 2025.
The forum was organized by Total Energies EP Uganda under the theme “Empowering Farmers and Enabling Linkages,” served as an agricultural value chain networking Forum’’.
Farmers showcased their potential in sustaining indigenous seeds and value addition to crop produce such as; maize, honey, tomatoes which demonstrated their commitment to sustainable farming practices. The farmers also explored the forum as a valuable opportunity for information exchange on best agronomic practices, value addition and nurturing partnerships.
The farmers appreciated for having interacted with over 200 stakeholders including farmers, agribusiness actors, offtakers, aggregators, oil companies and government.
Philippe Groueix, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, stated that the Agri-Business Forum reflects the company’s dedication to sustainable development and community empowerment.
“By supporting direct linkages between farmers and key actors in the agribusiness value chain, we are not only enhancing agricultural productivity but also cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets, driving economic growth and resilience in the Tilenga project area,” Groueix said. “This initiative is more than just farming; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem where local communities can thrive, innovate, and lead the way in agricultural excellence across our host communities.”
Senyonga Luke, the Agriculture Officer from HOCADEO, said the forum significantly boosted market linkages and networking opportunities for their value-added products, including organic tomato sauce, honey, oil from Kabaka Anjagala (indigenous tree), and indigenous seeds for tomatoes, bananas, and beans.
“This event helped us highlight the importance of indigenous seeds and products while also providing an opportunity to interact with like-minded organizations,” Senyonga said.
The forum was organized in collaboration with the East African Grain Council, Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI), Living Earth Uganda (LEU), and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
