Kilimo Trust At 20: Dr. Birungi Korutaro’s Interview with the East African
Kilimo Trust recently marked its 20th anniversary in celebration and Gala Dinner held in Kampala, Uganda.
Following the celebrations, The East African sat down with the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Birungi Korutaro, to discuss the organization’s 20-year journey, its lessons from working with farmers and SMEs across the region, and its vision for the future of agriculture in East Africa.
1. As Kilimo Trust celebrates 20 years, what moments or milestones stand out to you as the most defining in the organization’s journey?
Looking back what truly stands out for me is our evolution from a grant-making organization to a hands-on agricultural implementing agency. When we started in 2005, we quickly realized that simply issuing grants was not creating the deep, transformative change we envisioned. This led to a pivotal decision in 2010 to directly support the value chain actors – the farmers, traders, processors, and others who form the very backbone of East Africa's agricultural sector. It was after this transition that we began to see the real impact we were striving to achieve.
Equally significant was the conceptualization of our consortium approach to value chain development in 2011. Piloting this approach with the support of the Gates Foundation and GIZ in the Tanzanian rice value chain in 2013, and then formally adopting it as our core business model in 2017, has been transformative. It has allowed us to build strong, effective partnerships across the private and public sectors, bringing together diverse expertise and resources to tackle complex challenges. Furthermore, decentralizing our operations to Kenya and Rwanda in 2017 significantly enhanced our effectiveness on the ground. Having dedicated teams working directly with village-based agents and local communities has made our efforts far more targeted and impactful at both the community and national levels. These collaborations, combined with our local presence, are key to our success.
Of course, I can't forget the challenges and the innovations that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown forced us to accelerate our digital transformation and we launched a digital platform with Mobipay much faster than we had anticipated. This platform provides farmers and traders with critical agronomic, weather and market information, as well as location mapping. It’s not only enabled us to reach more farmers rapidly but has also supported them to access to finance and insurance products through the same digital channels.
These moments have not only shaped Kilimo Trust’s growth and impact but have also reinforced my belief in the power of direct engagement, strategic partnerships, and continuous innovation to drive meaningful change in the region.
2. Kilimo Trust has worked closely with smallholder farmers and agri-businesses across the region. In practical terms, how has the organization improved their livelihoods and strengthened value chains over the past two decades?
As CEO, I'm incredibly proud of the tangible progress Kilimo Trust has driven in improving livelihoods and strengthening value chains across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi over the past two decades. Our approach is all about practical and measurable results.
Beyond directly reaching more than 791,000 farming households and indirectly impacting over 1,500,000 others, we've facilitated over 3,500 business linkages, connecting farmers to reliable markets. Furthermore, we have supported over 1,700 agri-SMEs, strengthening their supply chains and enabling them to collectively access $32 million in agricultural finance. These are not just numbers; they represent real opportunities created and lives improved.
Our work across 23 value chains has facilitated the structured trading of 829,519 metric tons of commodities, valued at $194 million. These numbers are a testament to our commitment to collaboration, our drive for innovation, and our relentless focus on sustainable impact.
3. Looking at the regional landscape, how would you describe Kilimo Trust’s role in shaping agricultural policy, regional trade, and value chain development?
From my vantage point as CEO, I see Kilimo Trust as a critical catalyst in shaping the future of agriculture and, more broadly, resilient food systems across East Africa. Importantly, we firmly believe in agriculture as a viable and profitable business, and we strive to instill this mindset in all our stakeholders. We're not just implementers; we're strategic influencers, working to create an environment where these systems can truly thrive, where farming is seen as a business, and where everyone benefits.
Our role is multifaceted. Firstly, we're deeply involved in shaping agricultural policy to ensure it supports robust and equitable food systems and promotes agriculture as a business. We work closely with governments at both the national and regional levels, and other key stakeholders to advocate for policies that are evidence-based, inclusive, and promote sustainable growth across the entire food system, recognizing that profitability and sustainability must go hand-in-hand.
We bring to the table our on-the-ground experience, our deep understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers, and the insights we've gained from years of rigorous market research – all with a lens towards making agriculture a more attractive and viable business.
Secondly, we actively promote regional trade to build more integrated food systems and create business opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses. We believe that breaking down barriers to trade is essential for creating larger, more competitive markets for East African farmers and ensuring a more reliable and diverse supply of food for consumers. We work to facilitate cross-border trade, harmonize standards, and connect farmers to regional and international buyers, always with a focus on enhancing profitability and market access.
Finally, at the heart of everything we do is value chain development, recognizing that strong value chains are the building blocks of resilient food systems and profitable agricultural enterprises. We take a holistic approach, working to strengthen every link in the chain, from input supply and production to processing, marketing, and finance. We focus on building resilient, efficient, and inclusive value chains that create opportunities for all actors, particularly smallholder farmers, women, and youth. This contributes to the overall stability and sustainability of the food system, while ensuring that everyone involved can earn a fair and sustainable income from agriculture.
Ultimately, I see Kilimo Trust's role as being a connector, a convener, and a champion for East African agriculture and food systems, always with an emphasis on agriculture as a business. We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to build a more prosperous, food-secure, and sustainable future for our region, where everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food, and where farmers can thrive as successful entrepreneurs.
4. Agriculture is facing new realities, from climate change to digital disruption and the need to engage youth. How is Kilimo Trust addressing these emerging challenges?
As an organization we see these challenges as interconnected, are deeply committed to tackling them through our interventions across the region.
At Kilimo Trust, we are harnessing digitization to help farmers and stakeholders make smarter, data-driven decisions. In Uganda and Tanzania for instance, we are working with partners like the Grameen Foundation, Wanigenen University, ICIPE and local FinTech companies to develop solutions that reach farmers cost-effectively—providing agronomic advice, market insights, finance and insurance products as well as reliable weather information.
Our work also supports farmers, traders, and processors in building resilience to climate change. For instance, our regenerative agriculture projects in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, supported by Rikolto and the IKEA Foundation, are showing real promise. We focus on clearly demonstrating the economic benefits of recycling waste in rice and horticulture farming systems, converting waste into clean energy, and using local materials to create cold storage centres and drying facilities.
We also take time to understand how the users or beneficiaries adopt these solutions—many of which are tailored to the local context and involve multiple actors. Our hope is to create impact at scale by influencing attitudes and behavior change as well as showing that these efforts are essential—not just for better and sustainable livelihoods, but for the health and continued existence of our planet.
5. Partnerships have been central to Kilimo Trust’s work. How have collaborations contributed to the organisation’s impact?
I can confidently say that partnerships have been and continue to be the foundation of Kilimo Trust's success. Over the past 20 years, our close collaborations with local and national governments across East Africa have been crucial in aligning our work with the real needs on the ground.
We have also been incredibly fortunate to build strong relationships with the private sector – including the farmers themselves – and with key development partners like IFAD, GIZ, Swiss Development Corporation, the Gates Foundation, Enabel, the IKEA Foundation, African Development Bank(AfDB), UNDP, Comic Relief and many others.Their support, expertise, and resources have been invaluable in enabling us to make a tangible difference.
In Rwanda, for instance, with the support of partners like IFAD, BMZ, and the Visa Foundation, we have been able to tackle youth unemployment head-on through highly innovative partnerships.
These partnerships were built on a solid foundation: our deep understanding of agricultural value chains including the private sector's labor market needs, the aspirations of the youth, and the gaps in current training programsat the time. With this understanding, we forged a close collaboration with Rwanda Polytechnic, the Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF) and other private companies to co-create the Rwanda Youth Agri Hub, a powerful initiative that directly links skills development with the real needs of market and effectively supports job creation within the agricultural sector.
It’s through these kinds of collaborations with donors, the public and private sectors, that Kilimo Trust has grown into the the leader in market-led agricultural transformation, that it is today. We're deeply committed to tackling the real challenges facing agriculture in the region, and I genuinely believe that our success stems from the trust, shared vision, and collective effort of all our partners.
6. As you look ahead, what message would you like to share with regional leaders, partners, and farmers as Kilimo Trust embarks on its next chapter?
As Kilimo Trust embarks on our next chapter, the message I want to share, is one of hope, resilience, and collective responsibility. Looking ahead, our future success depends on fostering inclusive growth, championing innovative solutions, and deepening regional integration to achieve true agricultural transformation across East Africa.
My vision is of a future where regional leaders, our dedicated partners, and hardworking farmers work hand-in-hand, side by side, to build resilient food systems that create opportunities for everyone. We must reduce our dependence on imports, promote environmentally sustainable practices, strengthen our value chains, expand access to markets, and, most importantly, empower our smallholder farmers with the knowledge, technology, and resources they need to not just survive, but truly thrive.
Together, we can build a prosperous and food-secure East Africa, where every farmer's effort contributes to regional development and economic growth. My personal commitment, and of everyone at Kilimo Trust, is to remain adaptive, innovative, and collaborative as we turn these aspirations into realities. We need to work together to make this happen.
7. On a personal level, what has been the most rewarding part of your journey with Kilimo Trust?
The most gratifying part of my journey with Kilimo Trust is witnessing the direct impact we have on people's lives. Knowing that our work has genuinely improved someone's life brings an immense sense of satisfaction. Every challenge we address—whether it’s creating jobs, promoting climate resilience, improving market access, or building resilient value chains—presents unique opportunities for positive change.
Tackling these diverse challenges keeps the work dynamic and inspiring, and it continuously motivates me, as CEO, to contribute to positive change in the region.
Beyond that individual impact, I am incredibly proud that Kilimo Trust operates at multiple levels, creating systemic change and sustainable impact. We start by working directly with communities to address their specific local challenges. Then, we leverage our regional perspective and our strong partnerships with local, national, and regional stakeholders to provide multifaceted solutions that extend far beyond immediate fixes. This holistic approach, from grassroots empowerment to shaping regional policy, is, in my view, the key to truly lasting transformation in East African agriculture. And it’s what strengthens my personal commitment to this vital work every single day.
8. Finally, what is your vision for Kilimo Trust in the next near future?
Looking ahead, my vision for Kilimo Trust over the next 10-20 years is clear: we must be a driving force in building a prosperous and sustainable future for East Africa. By 2050, our region will be home to an estimated 647 million people and a significant percentage of those will be young people. As CEO, I feel a profound responsibility to ensure that we empower our communities to use land, water, and environmental resources more effectively, while simultaneously creating meaningful employment opportunities for this growing youth population.
Kilimo Trust is resolutely committed to scaling successful solutions that ensure food and nutrition security, climate resilience, youth employment, and inclusive markets across the region. By 2028, we aim to directly impact more than 5 million households in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, the DRC, and Ethiopia, building on the foundations we have already laid. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will maintain a strong focus on solving local problems, leveraging our regional knowledge, fostering strong partnerships, embracing agility and innovation in everything we do. This is how we will create lasting, positive change at scale.
Furthermore, we will continue to harness the transformative power of digitization and artificial intelligence to drive smarter, data-driven decisions throughout the agricultural sector, ensuring that our food systems become more efficient, resilient, and accessible for all. Our work will remain firmly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that our impact contributes to the global ambition of ending hunger, reducing poverty, and building a more sustainable planet for generations to come.