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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In a groundbreaking shift, Ugandan female youth innovators have outshone their male counterparts by clinching top prizes in the 2024 Agriculture, Youth, and Technology (AYuTe) challenge, a competition designed to transform Africa’s agricultural landscape.
Organized annually by Heifer International, Uganda, AYuTe serves as a dynamic platform for young innovators to present innovative solutions to pressing agricultural challenges. Since its inception in 1944, Heifer International has partnered with over 39 million families worldwide to combat hunger and poverty sustainably.
This year’s competition attracted a record 261 submissions, with 83 coming from female innovators—a remarkable increase from previous years. The innovations spanned a wide range, including soil testers, automated irrigation systems, robotics for farm monitoring, and pest detection devices.
Assumpta Nakalema emerged as the overall grand winner, taking home UGX 50 million for her solar egg incubator, which can hatch between 100-300 eggs at different intervals. Nakalema shared with URN that her technology aims to empower Uganda’s smallholder farmers by providing a low-cost solution to enhance egg value.
The first runner-up, Angel Uwera, won UGX 25 million for her rapid soil testing machine, known as the “MAK Agrometer.” This innovative technology enables farmers to determine the precise nutrient concentrations in their soil, guiding effective fertilizer application to boost productivity.
Olivia Nakiwanuka secured the second runner-up position with her Axis Solar technology, designed to endure diverse weather conditions while maximizing energy efficiency for smallholder irrigation farmers, earning UGX 10 million.
To promote female participation, two slots were reserved for women innovators this year. Stella Nakirijja and Patricia Ninsiima each won UGX 3.5 million for their innovations: a solar-powered tick detector and a grain-preserving nanotechnology, respectively.
In total, the top ten finalists were recognized, each receiving UGX 2 million for their groundbreaking contributions to agricultural innovation. Since its launch in 2021, the AYuTe Africa Challenge has engaged 704 young talents from various backgrounds, including 158 female agri-tech innovators.
The initiative has become essential for building pro-poor value chains, empowering youth and women, and promoting environmental sustainability in Uganda and beyond. It showcases the transformative potential of nearly 500 youth-driven solutions, enhancing economic resilience and advancing agri-tech.
William Matovu, Country Director of Heifer International Uganda, emphasized the importance of these technologies, stating, “Young innovators hold tremendous potential to drive transformative change in agriculture. This year’s innovations, from automated irrigation systems to poultry advancements, reflect the energy and creativity of our youth.”
At the grand finale of the competition held at Makerere University on Friday, Dr. Ronald Gyagenda Ssegawa, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, praised the participants and underscored the vital role of collaboration in driving agricultural progress.
“As we celebrate their success, let us remember that the journey of transforming agriculture requires the collective efforts of governments, private sector partners, and organizations. Together, we can continue to provide young innovators with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to bring their solutions to scale,” Dr. Ssegawa emphasized.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimates that around 68% of Uganda’s working population is employed in agriculture. The country produces a diverse array of agricultural products, including coffee, tea, sugar, livestock, fish, edible oils, cotton, tobacco, plantains, corn, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, sorghum, and groundnuts.
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