A Q&A with Monalisa Mutesi, iSDA’s Uganda Country Director
“The last mile is where change takes root. If you care about scale, you have to get your hands dirty and your boots muddy.”
Monalisa Mutesi is the driving force behind iSDA’s work in Uganda — and a firm believer that the best agtech means nothing if it doesn’t work for farmers on the ground. As Uganda Country Director, she leads iSDA’s last-mile delivery work: connecting science to farmers, turning insights into impact and building partnerships that make scale real.
In this conversation, Monalisa shares what it really takes to get AI tools like Virtual Agronomist into farmers’ hands — and why success starts with listening, trust and local action.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to lead iSDA’s work in Uganda?
I’ve had the privilege of working across different industries: from hospitality to advertising, energy to manufacturing. But the common thread in all those roles was people. I’ve always loved understanding people’s needs and figuring out how to serve them better.
My journey with iSDA is a story of second chances. I first interviewed for a different role but didn’t get it. When the Uganda expansion came up, they reached out again, and I’m so glad they did. It’s been a learning journey every step of the way, with the iSDA team and the farmers we serve.
What does “last-mile delivery” mean to you — and why is it so important?
For me, last-mile delivery is the final and most crucial link between a product and the people it’s meant for. It’s where we get to see our work in action — in farmers’ fields and lives.
If that link fails, the whole chain breaks. We’re not just delivering advice — we’re representing the organisation, building trust and making sure our innovation meets the real needs of the end user. That’s why the last mile isn’t an afterthought for us, it’s the first priority.
What does your typical week look like as Uganda Country Director?
No two weeks are ever the same! I spend a lot of time scouting for new partnerships and new areas where Virtual Agronomist can be introduced. I support lead farmers on the ground, help solve any challenges they face, and make sure we’re listening and responding quickly.
I also do a lot of field visits: training, checking in with farmers and building the relationships that keep things running smoothly. Farmers love real-life interactions, and those visits help build real trust.
What are the biggest challenges in getting tech like Virtual Agronomist to farmers in rural Uganda?
One of our biggest challenges is mobile network coverage — it’s still a barrier in some areas. But more broadly, building trust and ensuring accessibility is ongoing work. Some farmers don’t have smartphones, or they’re not comfortable with digital tools yet. That’s why our approach is always local and hands-on.
We work through cooperatives and identify vibrant, tech-savvy youth as lead farmers, who we train to help their communities. These champions are the bridge between the tool and the village.
Can you share a story where local adaptation made a real difference?
Absolutely. One that stands out is a woman named Namboozo Frat. She used Virtual Agronomist on just one acre of maize and harvested 14 bags of 100kg — during a season with tough weather. Her father planted two acres the same season, without Virtual Agronomist, and only harvested five bags because his crop burned in the sun.
She was so happy with the result that she donated one full bag to the cooperative that introduced her to Virtual Agronomist. That kind of impact — and that kind of gratitude — shows what’s possible when the tech works and the trust is there.
What have been the most effective channels or partners for reaching farmers?
Farmer cooperatives and on-ground agents and lead farmers have been absolutely key. They have deep community roots and know how to connect with farmers in ways that feel natural and trustworthy. We also use WhatsApp groups for real-time support, which helps us solve challenges fast and build community among lead farmers.
How do agronomic science and data guide your last-mile strategy?
Everything we do starts with science — that’s what sets iSDA apart. We use localised soil maps, weather data and crop models to deliver highly specific advice. And we don’t just deliver that advice — we explain it, adapt it and improve it based on what we hear in the field.
How do you ensure advice stays locally relevant and timely?
Farmer feedback is everything. We make sure to pass their suggestions straight to our tech team, and we’ve seen those suggestions turn into real improvements. For example, we used to include scientific terms without explanations. Farmers told us they didn’t understand, so we changed it. Now, we offer clear, simple language and it’s made a big difference in adoption.
Farmer trust is essential. How do you and your team build and maintain it?
Through consistency. We visit. We call. We check in. And most importantly, we act on what we hear. That’s how trust is built.
What does “Being Open Is in Our DNA” mean to you?
For me, it’s about transparency at every level. If we partner with an organisation, any insights or data we gather from their farmers — we share it back. And we do the same with farmers. We never hold back. That openness builds real collaboration.
Many people see the last mile as execution. Why do you see it as strategy?
Because it is. We are the ears and eyes of the tech team on the ground. We’re the ones who understand what’s working and what’s not. The last mile isn’t just where the product is delivered — it’s where the product is shaped.
What’s been your proudest moment at iSDA so far?
Seeing the smiles on farmers’ faces when they talk about increased yields — that’s priceless. Hearing real testimonies from people who say, “This changed how I farm” — it makes every long day worth it.
What would you say to funders or decision-makers who underinvest in last-mile systems?
You’re missing the point. The farmers are eager. They’re ready. I’ve seen farmers without smartphones say, “I’ll save up and buy one — just to use Virtual Agronomist.” But without enough last-mile staff to train and support them, they’re left behind.
If you want scale, you need to invest in people. In training. In the systems that make innovation real.
What’s next for iSDA in Uganda — and what can the rest of the world learn?
When we started, we were worried that the tech might be too advanced. But the opposite happened and farmers welcomed it with open arms. That showed us that people want to learn and improve their farms. They’re hungry for knowledge. So in Uganda, we’re going to keep riding that momentum — expanding Virtual Agronomist into as many regions as we can.
