What you need to know:
- Speaking at a training workshop organized by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) for the Kigorobya Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, Mukonyezi stressed that some farmers are undermining quality by mixing coffee husks and pebbles with the beans and even blending Robusta with Arabica coffee to pass it off as Arabica.
- Robert Mugisa, secretary of the Kigorobya Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, noted that the seedling shortage is a significant challenge, while Antonina Nyamagenyi, a local coffee farmer, highlighted the high demand and the financial difficulties many farmers face in purchasing seedlings.
Farmers in Hoima district have been advised to avoid harvesting unripe coffee to maintain the quality of their produce. Rosemary Mukonyezi, the regional coffee extension officer for the Hoima sub-region, highlighted that picking raw coffee not only deteriorates the final product but also disrupts the natural growth cycle of the coffee plants.
Speaking at a training workshop organized by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) for the Kigorobya Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, Mukonyezi stressed that some farmers are undermining quality by mixing coffee husks and pebbles with the beans and even blending Robusta with Arabica coffee to pass it off as Arabica.
Mukonyezi encouraged farmers to cultivate drought-resistant and high-yielding coffee varieties provided by researchers and reminded them that everyone involved in coffee production must register with UCDA in compliance with the new Coffee Law and recent EUDR regulations. She warned that spot inspections of stores and processing plants will soon be conducted, and those found dealing in mixed coffee will face penalties.
Additionally, Mukonyezi cautioned against drying harvested coffee on bare ground, as it affects quality and marketability.
David Karubanga, the Member of Parliament for Kigorobya county, urged coffee producers to register and form cooperatives to access soft loans and improve their farming practices. He also called on the government to provide free coffee seedlings through UCDA to support local farmers.
Farmers at the meeting expressed concerns about the shortage of coffee seedlings and requested government assistance. Robert Mugisa, secretary of the Kigorobya Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, noted that the seedling shortage is a significant challenge, while Antonina Nyamagenyi, a local coffee farmer, highlighted the high demand and the financial difficulties many farmers face in purchasing seedlings.
The one-day training was attended by coffee farmers, buyers, hullers, inspectors, and other stakeholders involved in the coffee value chain.
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