By Joackim Kule
The production of poor quality coffee in some parts of Kasese district has been attributed to the adoption of some poor methods of farming by the farmers.
The observation was made on Thursday by John Makofu, the Coffee Quality Officer for Bukonzo Organic Farmers’ Cooperative Union Limited while addressing a section of farmers from Nyakabingo sub-county who were on their exchange visit to the company premises in Kinyamaseke Town Council.
The purpose of the visit was to acquaint the farmers with knowledge on how to care for their coffee plantations in a bid to produce good quality coffee that would attract an international market.
Makofu explained that some farmers apply pesticides and fertilizers at later stage and in the process produce small sized cherries that do not weigh heavily.
Zakasi Bwambale, an Agricultural Extension Worker for Nyakabingo sub-county observed need for the farmers to always carry out soil sampling before planting a specific crop so that they identify the type of nutrients that are suitable for the crop to be planted.
Charles Thembo Kahitisani, the Nyakabingo Sub-county Chairperson explained to our reporter that the poor production of coffee in his elective area is caused by a section of people who have not taken farming as a business and major source of their livelihoods.
After being trained the best practices of caring for the coffee plantation, some farmers from all the five parishes including Kibalya, Kyambogho, Bukumbia, Kyapa and Nyakasojo that form Nyakabingo sub-county acknowledged having been practicing poor methods of farming and immediately pledged to change to the desired direction.
However, Josinta Kabugho, the Manager for Bukonzo Organic Farmers’ Cooperative Union Limited revealed that 90% of the coffee that they buy from the community is sold in the international markets while 10% is sold locally because of its poor quality.
