Overview:
During the gala event for AYUTE Africa Season 3, more than UGX 100 million was awarded to the top 10 innovators with the most outstanding technologies designed to help local farmers access affordable solutions to enhance their agricultural productivity.
Kampala, Uganda – Heifer International has announced the winners of the AYUTE Africa Season 3 challenge, awarding over UGX 100 million to the top 10 young innovators in agriculture, youth, and technology.
William Matovu, Country Director at Heifer International-Uganda, emphasized the organization’s commitment to empowering young Africans. “Africa has the most fertile soils, with statistics indicating that at least 60 percent of the globe’s uncultivated arable land is in Africa. Yet, it is the same continent that is spending over $1 billion to import food,” he noted.
Assumpta Nakalema, a young innovator from AgroVision Uganda, took home the grand prize of UGX 50 million for her solar-powered egg incubator. “With this project, farmers are going to be helped to commercialize their poultry businesses,” Nakalema explained. Her innovation supports smallholder farmers by providing a solution for hatching between 100 and 300 eggs at a time, improving productivity and profits.
Nakalema expressed gratitude for the funding. “I’m going to use this money to scale up the incubator from a prototype to a marketable product that smallholder farmers can afford.”
Angel Uwera, the first runner-up, won UGX 25 million for her Mak Agrometer innovation. “Farmers can collect different soil samples from their gardens and insert the sensor to see the exact nutrient levels,” Uwera highlighted. Her device enables farmers to optimize their planting and fertilization strategies.
Other notable innovators recognized during the awards included Olivia Nakiwanuka, the second runner-up, for her Axis Solar innovation, and Stellah Nakirijja, who developed a solar-powered tick detector. Patricia Ninsiima also received recognition for her contributions to agricultural technology.
Ronald Ssegawa Jjagenda, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, praised the innovators. “Agriculture is facing deep challenges, but technologies like these will offer practical solutions,” he said. Jjagenda emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting young people through programs like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.
Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, representing Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, commended Heifer International. “For a long time, we have done research, but we have been leaving it on the table. This step will take us far,” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Heifer International’s AYUTE Africa challenge has identified over 500 innovations since its inception in 2021. “We believe there is a future around technology in agriculture, which will ride on the rails we have built,” Matovu added.
The AYUTE Africa challenge demonstrates Heifer International’s dedication to empowering young Africans and revolutionizing agriculture through innovation, officials said.
“We spend close to $150 million to import vegetable oil while many of our young people are going abroad to take on odd jobs,” Matovu pointed out. Through initiatives like the AYUTE Africa challenge, Heifer International aims to reverse this trend by promoting local solutions to agricultural challenges.