Farmtorch Wins Global D-Prize Grant!
Farmtorch is honored to announce our selection as a recipient of the 2024 D-Prize Grant, marking a major milestone in our mission to uplift Uganda’s smallholder farmers. This grant award of $33,000 enables us to expand our innovative model of lending high-quality, timely, and affordable farm inputs, empowering smallholder farmers to improve their productivity, grow their incomes, and secure a sustainable food future.
D-Prize exists to identify and scale social ventures that tackle extreme poverty through innovative, scalable models. D-Prize believes that Farmtorch as a social impact venture is therefore uniquely positioned to improve access to timely, affordable and quality farm inputs for smallholder farmers on credit to improve productivity while facilitating market access.
We’re not just supplying farm inputs and agronomic trainings; we’re fostering a dynamic support network that enables smallholders to thrive. With D-Prize’s funding, Farmtorch is poised to serve 100 farmers in Mayuge district during the 2024 second season an important step toward our vision of scaling up to support thousands more.
What sets Farmtorch apart is our emphasis on community-driven support: we equip and train a robust network of Farmer Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) who work alongside smallholders to provide ongoing guidance, share agronomic knowledge, and connect farmers to viable markets. Our VBAs are the backbone of our model, empowering local farmers not just to grow, but to thrive within a resilient ecosystem of support.
As part of this D-Prize-supported phase, we are expanding our VBA network to include 10 newly trained agents who will serve smallholder farmers organized into Farmer-Based Organizations and Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). By strengthening our farmer network, we enhance access to reliable input supplies, drive productivity, and build community resilience from the ground up.
The D-Prize support goes beyond just funding. Through eight weeks of intensive training led by the Capital Department, a specialized fundraising studio, we have gained valuable insights into business management, fundraising, and strategic scaling. This capacity-building program has empowered us to refine our operations, strengthen our fundraising approach, and ultimately, enhance our ability to impact Uganda’s agricultural sector.
Farmtorch is committed to scaling our model across Uganda, working towards a sustainable food future where smallholder farmers are equipped, empowered, and connected to markets. We believe in creating a long-lasting impact by building a community-driven ecosystem where resources, knowledge, and market access converge to support farmers on their journey toward resilience and transformation.
Farmtorch’s journey is just beginning, and with D-Prize’s support, we strive to drive meaningful, scalable change in the lives of Uganda’s smallholder farmers. Join us as we take steps toward a future where food security and prosperity are within reach for even the smallest farms.