Aged Coffee Trees Hampering Bugisu's Production Potential

The renowned specialty Arabica coffee production in Uganda’s Bugisu sub-region is facing a significant challenge: aging coffee trees. Experts and local leaders point to trees that are decades past their prime, some exceeding 70 years, as the primary reason for diminished yields. While Bugisu produces around 700,000 bags (60kg each) of Arabica coffee annually, a figure representing about 10 percent of Uganda’s total coffee output, this is far below its potential.

Alex Kamali, Director of Gahoyaa Group Investment Ltd, stated that the region could produce up to 1.2 million bags if farmers replaced their old trees with younger, high-yielding, and disease-resistant varieties. He explained that coffee trees begin to yield less consistently after about 30 years, with many producing very little by the age of 50. Kamali also suggested that farmers could rejuvenate some older trees by cutting them back to stimulate new growth, a process known as stumping.

Beyond tree age, other factors contributing to low yields include declining soil fertility, inadequate pruning, pest and disease infestations, drought, and poor farm management. Companies like Bayaaya Specialty Coffee Ltd are working to support farmers, particularly women, in improving coffee quality through better agricultural and post-harvest practices, as well as promoting various processing methods to enhance the unique flavor profiles of Bugisu coffee.

Members of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus are advocating for government support to establish a coffee replanting program. This initiative is seen as a crucial step in fighting household poverty within the region. The Bugisu development agenda includes pushing for government assistance to help coffee farmers earn more through modernizing their plantations and adopting sustainable practices.

This article was sourced from the Daily Monitor (Uganda).