Founder and director of Budongo Women in Enterprise, Annet Birungi is a shining example of how one woman’s vision, paired with the right support, can transform not only her life but the livelihoods of rural women in her community.
Annet’s journey into beekeeping began in 2014. Initially, she had a modest goal—producing honey for her family’s own consumption. “We weren’t focused on sales at all,” Annet admits.
However, like a seed waiting to sprout, capable of growing into something extraordinary with the right care.. Annet began to seek partnerships and networks that could help her grow, both in knowledge and in production capacity.
In 2021, everything changed when Annet heard about a call for youth entrepreneurs in agriculture through a program called Youth Inspiring Youth in Agriculture. This initiative, implemented by FAO in collaboration with YOFCHAN and the Ministry of Agriculture, aimed to identify and support young entrepreneurs like Annet.
“It was a breakthrough for me,” Annet recalls.
Despite the program being highly competitive, Annet was selected as one of the district champions. “It was a breakthrough for me,” Annet recalls. Like a single star chosen from a sky full of possibilities, Annet underwent an intensive course in business mindset development, farming as a business, and agricultural entrepreneurship at the National Farmers Leadership Institute.
The training was a game-changer for Annet. Before joining YOFCHAN, her business, Budongo Women in Enterprise, had not been formalized. With YOFCH AN’s support, Annet formalized her enterprise, increasing the professionalism of her operations.
YOFCHAN also provided platforms for entrepreneurs like Annet to showcase their products at exhibitions, connecting her to a larger market and network.
“We met customers and networks who kept calling us after the exhibitions,” Annet says. These opportunities opened doors to new business growth and partnerships that would have otherwise been unreachable. (In picture) Annet showcasing her products at the Harvest money Expo 2024.
Today, Annet is leading Budongo Women in Enterprise as a formal business, focused on producing and selling honey and other agricultural products. The knowledge she gained from YOFCHAN’s training has allowed her to increase production and improve the livelihoods of the women she works with. Her success is a testament to the power of knowledge, networking, and the drive to succeed.
“I never thought I could turn beekeeping into such a sustainable source of income,” Thanks to YOFCHAN, I now see agriculture as a business, and I am proud of how far we’ve come.”
Annet shares.
Annet Birungi is living proof that with the right guidance and support, the possibilities are endless. Join YOFCHAN today and take your first step towards agricultural success!
Young Farmers Champions Network 