Uganda Government Cracks Down on Immature Coffee Harvesting

The Ministry of Agriculture, through its Coffee Department, has initiated operations targeting farmers and traders who compromise the quality of Ugandan coffee. David Wamala from the ministry emphasized that harvesting unripe beans and drying them on the ground significantly degrades the product’s value on the international market.

“Farmers must stop harvesting immature coffee and drying it on the ground because these practices affect the quality of our coffee,” Wamala stated.

The government is prepared to take legal action, including arrests and prosecution, against those deliberately undermining coffee quality. Wamala stressed that Uganda cannot afford to let its valuable agricultural commodity be devalued.

These warnings come as part of a broader initiative to enhance coffee quality, traceability, and access to global markets. The government is also planning to register coffee farmers and their plantations to improve traceability and ensure standards, a move linked to international market requirements. Farmers failing to comply may face challenges in accessing certain markets.

During the recent distribution of coffee seedlings in Luweero, Maj. Gen. Hadson Mukasa urged farmers to unite and form mechanisms for better price negotiation. He advised them to collectively improve coffee quality rather than allowing individual buyers to dictate prices, noting that farmers often receive a disproportionately small share of the profits.

Furthermore, Mukasa encouraged farmers to balance cash crop cultivation with food production to ensure household food security, stating, “There is no one who can become wealthy without having something to eat.”

The seedling distribution program, part of President Museveni’s efforts to boost coffee farming and household incomes, also included training on protecting coffee plants from excessive sun and improving water management using local materials. Farmers were also educated on using shade and supporting watering techniques for their coffee plants.

Lt. Fredrick Ssenoga, chairperson of NRM Buwanguzi Greater Luweero, highlighted the need for government support in transporting produce from farms to markets.

Source: Nile Post