Various farmers from different parts of Uganda have listed several challenges that affect the production of high-quality coffee needed for the value-addition chain. They discussed these issues during the International Coffee Day celebrations held at Agri Evolve Uganda Limited headquarters in Nyabirongo Village, Kisinga Town Council, Kasese district on October 5, 2023. The event attracted a large crowd, including coffee farmers, dealers, and key stakeholders.
Charles Mugisa Muchwangali, a coffee farmer from Kabarole district, expressed that many coffee farmers lack awareness of the best practices for producing high-quality coffee because they haven’t been properly informed.
Jonny Rowland, the managing director of Agri Evolve Uganda Limited, which is involved in extensive coffee purchasing and value addition, pointed out that most coffee farmers live in remote areas with poor road access. This lack of infrastructure makes it difficult to transport coffee from these areas to processing centers.
“Many farmers have difficulty accessing coffee washing machines,” Jonny mentioned.
Moses Kyakora, the marketing manager of Bukonzo Organic Farmer’s Cooperative Union, a company that exports coffee internationally, stated that high taxes on coffee value addition machines imported to Uganda pose a significant challenge. He called upon the government to provide tax incentives to coffee dealers to encourage the use of these machines.
Ham Natuhwera, the vice chairperson of Kasese district, highlighted another issue faced by coffee farmers in the region – prolonged droughts, which deprive coffee plants of adequate water, affecting yields. He urged the government to invest in mini-irrigation schemes in various villages to address this problem.
Tony Herald Muhindo, the Member of Parliament for Bukonzo East, suggested that the government provide free basic tools such as pangas, hoes, and forks to farmers in mountainous areas where tractors cannot operate. He acknowledged the government’s efforts to provide tractors to farmers but emphasized the need to support those in hilly regions, especially in the context of coffee value addition.
Dr. Emanuel Iyamulemye Niyibigira, the managing director of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), shared that UCDA has been actively engaging with coffee farmers and dealers nationwide to ensure the production of high-quality coffee that meets Uganda’s standards for both local and international markets. Regional offices have been set up to extend services and support to farmers.
“In Kasese, we are seeing the production of very good coffee, with many value chain actors like Agri Evolve and other companies establishing themselves here,” Dr. Niyibigira added.
Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, the minister of state for agriculture, highlighted the significance of coffee to Uganda’s economy, earning the country substantial foreign revenue, exceeding 900 billion annually. He encouraged farmers to embrace value addition methods to maximize their benefits from coffee production.
International Coffee Day, celebrated worldwide on October 1st, was marked in Uganda on October 4th, with the theme “Celebrating Arabic Coffee from the Foothills of Mount Rwenzori.”
