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Brussels, April 14, 2026 — As part of a broader effort to strengthen agricultural competitiveness and deepen trade linkages with Europe, a Ugandan delegation of farmers and private sector actors undertook a strategic visit to Rijk Zwaan in the Netherlands. The engagement, held on the second day of the Agri and Horticultural Trade Mission, underscores Uganda’s commitment to modernizing its agricultural systems through knowledge exchange and international partnerships.
Led by the Executive Director of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Stephen Asiimwe, alongside Ambassador Beatrice Pacunega, the delegation sought to explore innovations in seed technology, horticultural practices, and market-oriented production. The visit forms part of a wider diplomatic and economic agenda aimed at positioning Uganda as a reliable supplier of high-quality agricultural produce within global value chains.
Rijk Zwaan, a globally respected enterprise in vegetable breeding and seed development, has built its reputation on advancing resilient and high-yield crop varieties tailored to diverse climatic conditions. Its collaboration in Uganda, facilitated through Holland Greentech, has already contributed to improved access to quality seeds and technical expertise for local farmers over the past decade.
During the visit, the Ugandan delegation engaged with agronomists and technical experts to better understand emerging trends in sustainable agriculture, including climate-smart farming, precision irrigation, and post-harvest value addition. These discussions are particularly relevant for Uganda, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy, employing a significant proportion of the population while facing challenges related to productivity, market access, and climate variability.
The mission reflects a growing recognition among policymakers and industry stakeholders that enhancing agricultural output must go hand in hand with improving quality standards and compliance with international markets. Europe, in particular, presents both an opportunity and a benchmark demanding consistency, traceability, and adherence to stringent phytosanitary requirements.
By fostering direct engagement with institutions such as Rijk Zwaan, Uganda is positioning its farmers to move beyond subsistence-oriented production toward commercially viable, export-driven agriculture. The emphasis on value addition ranging from improved packaging to processing signals an intention to capture greater economic returns across the supply chain.
As the trade mission progresses, its impact will ultimately be measured by how effectively these insights are translated into practice back home. If successfully implemented, the knowledge and partnerships cultivated through this visit could contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s agricultural transformation enhancing productivity, strengthening export capacity, and reinforcing the country’s integration into global food systems.
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