By Joshua Kato
As the 2020 Best Farmer winners boarded the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Airbus 320-300 at Entebbe Airport on October 7, they celebrated with KLM a Century plus four milestones.
The Netherlands-based carrier was celebrating 104 years of service in the air transport industry. At the airport, the farmers were given cakes, before meeting and greeting with the crew in celebration of the day.
Since the Best Farmers competition started in 2024, KLM has transported a total of 85 farmers in seven groups to the Netherlands. KLM is one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world.
The farmers who travelled to the Netherlands are; Phillip Kalera, immaculate Akullo, Peter Masiko, Jacent Namyalo Muwanga, Masaka, Prossy Kazibwe who will represented by her son Titus Sebaiga Hillary, Gloria Lwamafa Karungi, Maureen Nyakato, Samuel Kange, Joseph Munerya, Michael Opiyo Kadogo, Bob Kagoro, Bernard Obaa and Ben Omodoi.
The Best Farmer competition is organized by Vision Group and sponsored by the Netherlands embassy in Uganda, dfcu Bank, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Koudijs BV.
During the sendoff function held last week, Lukia Otema, the country manager of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Uganda showed gratitude for the contribution of the best farmer competition to the agriculture sector in Uganda reflected by the increasing demand for agricultural export.
“As we celebrate and fly our best farmers to the Netherlands, KLM will be celebrating 104 years of operation,” Lukia said.
“This is a historical day to us the farmers because we have been part of KLM`s long journey,” Dr Bernard Obba, from Arua said at Entebbe Airport.
Gloria Rwamafa Karungi, another farmer from Kira, Wakiso district was amazed at how far farming had taken them.
“It is interesting that farmers are celebrating with a major airline while flying to Europe because of their farming,” she said.
On arrival in the Netherlands, they were boarded at NH Hotels, in Amsterdam before they had a boat tour through the scenic water canals around Amsterdam.
Heavy Programme
According to a week-long tour programme that has been released by the organisers, yesterday (Monday, October 9) the farmers visited Koudjis Nutrition BV, a livestock feeds processing company, which is also one of the sponsors of the Best Farmers competition.
The company is located in Ravesteijn. On Tuesday, the farmers are visiting Ante Bv, a machinery company that majors in fabricating dairy coolers plus Bejo Zanden who is known for processing various seeds.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Farmers disembarking at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Photos by Joshua Kato
