Kilimo Trust, a leading regional organization driving market-led agricultural transformation, marked its 20th anniversary in a colorful celebration held in Kampala, Uganda, last week.
The celebration brought together development partners, private sector actors, government officials, and farmer representatives from across the region to celebrate and reflect on the organisation's transformative journey and impact.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Birungi Korutaro, the Chief Executive Officer of Kilimo Trust acknowledged the role of partnerships in shaping the organisation’s success.
"Over the past two decades, Kilimo Trust has grown into a formidable force, improving market access for over 750,000 farmers. Our achievements are rooted in collaboration with partners, funders, and local governments. This milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together with resilience and purpose”
The Board Chair, Bruce Scott, also paid tribute to the foresight that shaped the organization's founding, noting: "Kilimo Trust recognized that, beyond boosting yields, exploring markets presents a significant opportunity to improve people's lives. By providing funding support and facilitating market linkages, we have demonstrated that empowering farmers with market access can truly transform communities.”
Since its establishment in 2005, Kilimo Trust has evolved from a grant-making institution into one of East Africa's leading implementers of inclusive, market-led agricultural programs with presence Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, and activities in Burundi, South Sudan, DRC, and Zambia.
On his part, Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, Chairman of Kenya's National Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Livestock, who was also in attendance, lauded Kilimo Trust for always putting the farmer first in its interventions.
“In most cases, we forget that if we do not benefit the producer, we will not keep the value chains active. We must ensure that as the product moves along the value chain up to the consumer, it does so in a way that it benefits the farmer who is the producer,” he said.
From empowering youth agripreneurs in Rwanda and Tanzania to enhancing cross-border trade in Kenya and Uganda, Kilimo Trust’s work has reshaped how markets function for smallholder farmers. The organization’s integrated approach—combining research, enterprise development, and policy engagement—has proven that agriculture can be both profitable and sustainable.
This remarkable transformation and impact have earned Kilimo Trust regional and international recognition. With multiple awards for excellence in agribusiness development, the organization continues to set the bar for impact and scale.
In 2024, Kilimo Trust Rwanda was named Best Corporate Change Maker for empowering youth with hearing impairments through agribusiness. Earlier this year, the Trust received the Agricultural Transformation Award at the 3rd Annual Agricultural Awards 2025 in Kampala, recognizing its role in transforming food systems across East Africa.