By Saimon Bikeke
Stakeholders in the Coffee value chain in Rwenzori Sub Region have met to identify challenges affecting Coffee in the region and devise possible means to address them.
The move is aimed at improving the quality of Ugandan coffee which has since remained a concern on the world market.
Hon. Alice Kaboyo Minister the Rwenzori Luwero state Minister says Coffee remains Uganda’s biggest export earner. But even then, the quality of Coffee in the country remains a great concern on the world market.
“This has prompted stakeholders in the Coffee value chain to put heads together in a bid to improve the quality of the product, Hon. Kaboyo said.”
According to the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture Maj. Gen. David Kasura, extension workers need to be facilitated to re-awaken farmers on best agricultural practices.
“There is need for more research by research institutions if Ugandan Coffee is to be improved to compete on the world market, Maj.Gen. Kasura asserts.
Jonny Rawland the Managing Director Agri-Evolve coffee processing plant says the continued picking of unripe coffee cherries affects the quality.
He cited infrastructure, electricity, climatic change, limited finance Accessibility by farmers and poor roads among Challenges. However, he said that the organization has put in place strategies of improving the quality of coffee processed.
“As Agri Evolve, we have established ways of seeing how best we can train farmers and extend good market to them. We have also provided donkeys to help in transportation, Rowland said.”
Immaculate Mbambu one of the coffee farmers told this online that the urgent need for money has always forced them to harvest unripe coffee.
Uganda is the second leading producer of coffee in Africa and ranked 10th overall in the World but about 98% of its coffee is exported.
However, there is low local consumption of the beverage which is attributed to a negative perception Ugandans have towards coffee, which is also emanate from misleading information passed on to consumers claiming healthy related risks amongst consumers.
Continuing story………
