Holland Greentech: Bringing Dutch Expertise to African Farms
In 2020, Holland Greentech’s operations were centered in Kampala and Wakiso districts, serving approximately 4,500 growers. Holland Greentech Uganda is part of a Dutch-origin group operating across 12 African countries, with ambitions to expand further. The company specializes in providing comprehensive horticultural solutions, ranging from seeds, seedlings, and pest control to irrigation systems, greenhouses, soil analysis, and advisory services. Leveraging Dutch knowledge, skills, and technology, Holland Greentech is dedicated to increasing food production, ensuring safety and security, and promoting more efficient use of natural resources to meet the rising demand for vegetables in Africa’s expanding urban markets.
Four Years of Collaboration: Expanding Reach and Impact
Four years ago, Holland Greentech partnered with the Horticulture Market Acceleration Project (HortiMAP) to champion the cause of smart agriculture, focusing on constructing greenhouses and seedling raisers for beneficiaries identified and assessed by the project. HortiMAP was a ground-breaking four-year initiative aimed at revitalizing Uganda’s horticulture sector. Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by TechnoServe Uganda, in partnership with BiD Capital Partners, PUM Netherlands, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), HortiMAP sought to elevate farmer livelihoods, improve household nutrition, and generate employment across 33 districts in the Elgon and Kigezi regions, as well as the Lake Victoria crescent. By fostering collaboration between private sector players and public institutions, the project aimed to transform Uganda’s
Mr. Joel Ssenjala, Managing Director of Holland Greentech, speaking during the 2025 Horticulture Convention in Kampala
Building Greenhouses and Growing Opportunities
This collaboration has yielded significant achievements, insightful lessons, and sustainable solutions vital for Uganda’s horticultural development. Through HortiMAP’s support, the company was able to extend its greenhouses into new regions such as the Lango and Acholi sub-regions, as well as districts like Kanungu and Ntungamo in southwestern Uganda. Joel Ssenjala the Managing Director, Holland Greentech, highlights the role of financing in the collaboration. “Financing cannot be overlooked…it enables the farmers to afford expensive technologies by offsetting part of the cost”. This is a big motivator and plays a role in adoption.” He emphasizes.
Remarkably, about 25% of the greenhouses built by Holland Greentech are now owned by HortiMAP beneficiaries, both groups and individual farmers.
Making Greenhouses Affordable and Accessible
One of the most transformative outcomes of this partnership has been making greenhouse technology accessible to farmers who previously could not afford it. “The partnership has demystified the perception that greenhouses are for rich and commercial farmers, and are hard to manage… It has also shown that there is demand for greenhouses in the communities and farmers are willing to adopt if given the right support”, says Joel Ssenjala. Through the innovative infrastructure cost-sharing model introduced by HortiMAP, many farmers can now construct greenhouses and cultivate vegetables year-round, boosting productivity and income. This approach has demystified greenhouse farming and opened doors for smallholder farmers to adopt modern, climate-smart agricultural practices.
Economic Gains and Business Growth
The collaboration has empowered farmers, resulting in substantial business success for Holland Greentech. The company has generated over 800 million Ugandan shillings (USD 219,178) from greenhouse construction alone, demonstrating the lucrative potential of this technology. Additionally, the partnership has helped Holland Greentech to expand its knowledge base, access financing opportunities, and attract new customers across different regions.
The Power of Support and Innovation
The HortiMAP experience demonstrates the importance of dedicated efforts to create the foundation for widespread adoption of innovative farming technologies. The project’s cost-sharing model has proven to be a game-changer, making greenhouse farming both affordable and attractive for smallholder farmers. It exemplifies how strategic partnerships and targeted interventions can accelerate sector growth, stimulate farmer confidence, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Paving the Way for a Thriving Horticulture Future
The success story of Holland Greentech and HortiMAP in Uganda illustrates that with the right support and innovative models, transforming agriculture is possible. By lowering barriers and fostering collaboration, they have set a compelling example of how to cultivate a resilient, productive, and sustainable horticulture industry—one greenhouse at a time.