Josephine Okot
Born1970 (age 53–54)
Gulu, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
Alma materMakerere University Business School
Harvard Business School
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Washington International University
Occupation(s)Businesswoman, Entrepreneur & Corporate Executive
Years active2004 – present
TitleManaging Director & CEO, Victoria Seeds Limited

Josephine Okot is a Ugandan businesswoman, entrepreneur and corporate executive, who is the founder, managing director and chief executive officer of Victoria Seeds Limited, an agribusiness enterprise based in Uganda that processes, packages and markets agricultural seeds to farmers in the countries of the African Great Lakes.[1]

Background and education

Okot was born in Gulu District, in the Northern Region of Uganda.[2] She attended Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and received postgraduate executive training from Harvard Business School and from Stanford Graduate School of Business, both in the U.S. Okot has considerable training and extensive experience in agribusiness.[3] She is reported to have a Master of International Business, from Washington International University.[4]

Career

Okot founded Victoria Seeds Limited in 2004, with the primary objective of providing quality seeds to smallholder farmers, first domestically and then regionally.[5]

Okot's company received a financial guarantee from a USAID-funded project, which allowed her to secure start-up funding.[6] Victoria Seeds Limited is affiliated with 900 rural farmers, the majority of whom are women. The company markets nearly 100 varieties of seeds, through over 400 affiliated agro-dealer outlets. As of August 2011, the company annual sales exceeded US$2.5 million with about 140 employees.[2]

As of 2013, Victoria Seeds Limited maintained three seed-processing facilities (a) the original facility in Gulu, Northern Uganda established in 2004 (b) the second facility located in the city of Masindi, in the Western Region of Uganda, commissioned in 2011 and (c) the new company headquarters and newest facility located in Kampala Industrial and Business Park, in Namanve, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, commissioned in 2012.[3][4]

Awards

In recognition of her efforts, persistence, resilience ad mentorship, Okot has received national and international awards including the Yara Prize in 2007.[5] In 2009, she received the Oslo Business for Peace Award for promoting ethical and socially responsible business practices.[7] In 2013 Victoria Seeds received the Uganda Responsible Investment Award for Best Seed Company 2013.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Daily Monitor Staff (8 March 2011). "Today's Uganda Top Fifty Women Movers". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 Tran, Mark (17 June 2013). "Uganda seed entrepreneur calls time on hand-held hoe as a tool for farmers". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 WEF Reports (2016). ""Victoria Seeds Limited": Executive Case: Uganda". Geneva: World Economic Forum (WEF). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 IITA (5 November 2017). "International Institute of Tropical Agriculture: Board of Trustees: Okot Josephine". Ibadan: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  5. 1 2 The EastAfrican (26 August 2011). "Josephine Okot (Uganda)". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Maritz, Jaco (22 March 2011). "Ugandan seed company focusing on more than just profits". Lagos: Howwemadeitinafrica.com. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  7. ↑ BFPF (2009). "Business for Peace Foundation: 2009 Honourees". Oslo: Business for Peace Foundation (BFPF). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
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