The 10th Harvest Money Expo kicked off at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, emphasizing farming as a business. State minister for agriculture Fred Bwino Kyakulaga officially opened the event, highlighting innovations and government commitments to the sector. Sessions covered practical topics like beekeeping and mushroom farming to boost farmers' incomes.
The Harvest Money Expo 2026, now in its 10th year, began on February 28, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala. Organized by Vision Group, the event drew farmers, experts, and officials under the theme 'Farming as a Business.' Agriculture state minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga officially opened the expo, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Frederieke Quispel, Vision Group board chairman Dr Damulira Sengonzi, CEO Don Wanyama, and other diplomats.
Bwino praised the expo's decade-long impact, stating, “The decade-long duration of the Harvest Money Expo reflects its credibility, impact and relevance,” and stressed its role in sustainable agricultural development. He agreed with Wanyama's call to expand the event to other Ugandan regions for broader reach. The minister highlighted innovations on display, saying, “The innovations we see here today demonstrate how far the sector has come and the significant investments made by both the government and the private sector. This is a testament to the hope we have for agriculture’s future in Uganda.” He announced plans for increased funding and the upcoming Food and Agriculture Regulatory Act, soon to be presented to Cabinet and Parliament.
On the second day, a light shower underscored rain's importance in farming. Sessions included mushroom growing, led by Abel Kiddu of African Mushroom Growers (U) Ltd, who has farmed mushrooms since 2010. Kiddu advised, “Mushrooms need low temperature from 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, high humidity and oxygen to sprout.” Another talk by Stephen Kunihira, managing director of Mr Bees Africa, focused on beekeeping. Kunihira urged farmers to assess sites for flowering plants, water, and minimal disturbance before starting, noting, “Without adequate forage, bees may fail to produce honey or even abandon the hive.” He emphasized training, species selection, and peaceful apiary locations: “Don’t just put bees anywhere. Bees prefer peaceful environments, away from excessive noise, livestock interference and heavy human traffic. An ideal apiary should have shade, protection from strong winds and security.”
Sponsors include the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ENGSOL, Tunga Nutrition, aBi Development, Pearl Bank, Uganda Development Corporation, Heifer International, Roke Telkom, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and Uganda Revenue Authority. Entrance costs sh10,000.
