dfcu Bank Rallies Coffee Farmers to Leverage Its Tailored Agri-financing Solutions

L-R: Katia Mugenzi from dfcu Foundation, Eng. Jossy Balissa Kuta, JBK Modern Farm Proprietor, Mubarak Muwonge, Manager-dfcu Luwero branch, Alex Madolo- Sector Head for Agriculture at dfcu Bank and Gloria Namutebi Ssuna Sector Head for Agriculture at dfcu Bank

dfcu Bank has called on coffee farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to take advantage of its affordable, customized agri-financing solutions to boost productivity and sustainability.

Speaking during the launch of JBK Modern Farm as a coffee learning hub by Yara International in Kikyusa, Luwero on Tuesday, Alex Madolo, Sector Head for Agriculture at dfcu Bank, highlighted the bank’s dedication to providing farmer-centric financial solutions.

“Our financing isn’t off-the-shelf — we work with customers to tailor solutions that match their needs and repayment ability,” Madolo said. He emphasized dfcu’s access to low-interest financing under the Government’s Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) through the Bank of Uganda, which offers some of the most affordable rates in the market.

Madolo also noted the availability of collateral support through guaranteeing partners, reaffirming dfcu’s deep commitment to agricultural development over its 60-year history in Uganda.

Katia Mugenzi from the dfcu Foundation urged farmers to benefit from the Foundation’s free capacity-building initiatives. “We provide training in financial literacy, agronomy, business management, and post-harvest handling. We also offer mentorship and catalytic funding, particularly for smallholder farmers,” she said.

Gloria Namutebi Ssuna, Senior Manager – Vehicle & Asset Finance at dfcu, encouraged farmers to leverage dfcu’s vehicle and asset financing to expand their operations. She explained that essential equipment such as tractors, milk coolers, and refrigerated trucks—many of which are tax-exempt—can be acquired through the ACF.

The event attracted more than 100 top coffee farmers and value chain actors, all of whom toured JBK Modern Farm, owned by Jossy Balissa Kuta, a Biomedical Engineer turned agripreneur. Spanning 32 acres, the farm boasts 30,000 coffee trees, a zero-grazing goat unit, and an indigenous poultry enterprise.

Kuta attributed the farm’s rising productivity to sound agronomic practices, proper financing, and the use of Yara fertilizers. “Each tree currently yields about 4kgs of FAQ per year across two seasons. Our goal is to hit 6kgs in two years,” he said.

He has adopted precision farming tools like tensiometers to optimize irrigation. “These tools tell you exactly when to irrigate, how much water is needed, and when to stop. That’s the future of commercial farming,” Kuta added.