By Umar Nsubuga
For the ninth year running, Vision Group, together with the Embassy of the Netherlands, KLM Airlines, dfcu Bank and Koudijs Nutrition BV, is running the Best Farmers Competition.
The 2024 competition will run from April to November, with the awards in December. Every week, Vision Group platforms will publish profiles of the farmers. Winners will walk away with sh150m and a fully paid-for trip to the Netherlands.
Brenda Tusiime, 38, turned her love for farming into a thriving business focused on producing pumpkin flour. Starting with a small piece of land in Fort Portal, she transformed setbacks into opportunities by mastering the science of value addition.
Today, Tusiime is recognised not only for her innovative products, but also for her resilience and commitment to improving nutrition and supporting her community through employment and mentorship.
In a region grappling with high rates of malnutrition and stunted growth in children, she is making a significant impact.
As the founder of Mema Agro-Organic Processors, Tusiime’s mission is to enhance nutrition for children aged six months to 15 years and provide vital supplements to the elderly.
Her pumpkin flour, enriched with nutrients, addresses the nutritional gaps faced by many families.
How she started
In 2017, Tusiime relocated to Fort Portal with her husband. Although she had a diploma in business administration, she was uninterested in traditional employment and instead saw potential in a three-acre plot of land.
In 2018, she planted her first crop — pumpkins — using a modest investment of sh500,000 from her husband and her savings.
However, her attempts at selling her pumpkins at Kalerwe Market in Kampala were challenging. With little market knowledge, she faced setbacks, including damaged produce and unsold stock.
Determined not to be discouraged, Tusiime returned to Fort Portal and immersed herself in research.
She consulted nutritionists who taught her how to produce nutritious flour from pumpkins, focusing on optimal ingredients and ratios.
Tusiime then produced her first 20kg of pumpkin flour. Despite hurdles like manual packaging and labelling, she remained resolute, knowing that transforming pumpkins into a marketable product was key to creating a sustainable business.
This determination led to the establishment of Mema Agro-Organic Processors.
The turning point
In 2020, Tusiime’s entrepreneurial journey reached a pivotal moment. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for nutritious food surged, providing an opportunity for expansion.
As health-conscious consumers sought immune-boosting foods, Tusiime’s pumpkin flour and porridge gained traction, with sales reaching between 100 and 150kg per month.
While her product’s quality was appreciated, packaging remained a challenge.
Undeterred, Tusiime expanded her market reach by supplying local shops and opening her own store in Fort Portal, followed by three additional outlets to meet growing demand.
In the same year, she received a grant of $20,000 (about sh73m), allowing her to purchase machinery for maize flour production and significantly enhance her capacity.
This funding also helped her overcome previous challenges with manual packaging. Although she does not grow maize herself, she relies on outgrowers for supply.
Despite challenges like transportation and fluctuating prices, Tusiime produces well-regarded Mema Maize Flour, which has gained popularity in Fort Portal.
Tusiime has transformed her plot of land into a thriving pumpkin project through strategic farming practices and strong partnerships with local farmers.
By training outgrowers and providing them with quality pumpkin seeds, she has increased production and secured a steady supply for her pumpkin flour business in Fort Portal city.
Market Research
After initial setbacks with selling fresh pumpkins, Tusiime recognised the importance of understanding the entire value chain.
She stays updated on market trends, consumer preferences, and packaging innovations to ensure her products meet high standards.
Engaging with farmers and agricultural experts helps her identify the best pumpkin seed varieties and farming practices, which maintain high-quality yields.
Tusiime also invests time in understanding customer needs, ensuring her products serve a nutritional purpose while featuring appealing packaging and consistent quality.
Plans
“The market is expanding, and to meet the growing demand, we need to increase production and hire more people,” Tusiime says.
Lessons Learnt
Tusiime emphasises the importance of investing time in all aspects of the business, including processing and packaging.
Proper planning can prevent inefficiencies and enhance product presentation.
Conducting comprehensive market research is crucial for understanding pricing, demand and selling strategies, enabling informed decisions and avoiding financial losses.
Tusiime advises starting with a smaller investment and scaling up as knowledge and experience grow. This approach minimises risks and allows for informed decision-making.
Trends
Proper labelling is essential for meeting regulatory requirements and providing consumers with necessary information, including ingredients, nutritional details, and expiration dates.
Labels must comply with local food safety regulations, and professional labelling services can help avoid errors.
Selecting suitable packaging materials that are cost-effective and protective can be difficult.
Researching and testing materials like vacuum-sealed bags or laminated pouches can identify the best options for preserving pumpkin flour while considering cost and sustainability. Risks Investing in low-quality or unsuitable seeds can lead to higher costs due to lower yields and the need for additional treatments.
Seeds from unreliable sources may be mislabelled or of poor quality, resulting in suboptimal garden outcomes.
Inconsistent yields can arise if seeds are not bred for high productivity or do not match local growing conditions.
Achievements
Tusiime has gained exposure through significant events, such as exhibiting her products during President Yoweri Museveni’s visit during the Labour Day celebrations in Fort Portal city in May.
This was a moment of pride for her. She has created job opportunities, growing her team from two to eight permanent staff.
Challenges
Perfecting the packaging for pumpkin flour took considerable time, especially without proper machinery.
Marketing and labelling initially hindered her ability to establish her products.
She has also encountered risks related to growing pumpkin seeds, underscoring the need for the right variety to ensure quality output.
Balancing family responsibilities with business demands adds personal and operational stress, requiring significant resilience.
Keeping up with increasing market demand necessitates continuous investment in production capacity and quality control.
What others say
Lawrence Mpamiire, Mema employee: He highlights Tusiime’s ability to inspire local farmers through mentorship and knowledge-sharing on value addition.
He acknowledges that her efforts contribute to the local economy and foster unity and purpose among community members.
Christine Kambabazi, friend: Kambabazi admires Tusiime’s passion for supporting vulnerable groups, especially children and the elderly, through her nutritious pumpkin flour.
She says Tusiime’s mentorship of local women and youth in value addition and farming has empowered many to become self-reliant
Allan Mutegeki, local resident: He notes that Tusiime’s training programmes educate farmers on best agricultural practices to ensure high-quality yields.
This initiative helps farmers grow pumpkins that meet the standards for flour processing, creating a reliable network of producers that contributes to her business’ success.
By empowering these farmers, Tusiime ensures the sustainability of her pumpkin project while helping others benefit from this profitable crop.
Mutegeki says Tusiime’s business model strengthens local farming communities, fostering a sense of shared purpose and improving livelihoods through pumpkin farming.
Her consistent efforts have made her a central figure in the region’s pumpkin industry, driving growth for both her business and the wider community.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Tusiime employs a number of youth on her farm.
