Form groups to get good yields, coffee farmers told

Dec 13, 2009

COFFEE farmers at district level have been advised to form strong organisations to guard against exploitation and ensure the production of quality seeds.

By Ismael Kasooha

COFFEE farmers at district level have been advised to form strong organisations to guard against exploitation and ensure the production of quality seeds.

“Farmers who want to grow coffee should form organisations to guard against the traders who are fond of riding on their backs,” the internal affairs state minister, Matia Kasaija, said.

He explained that the associations would help farmers set up credit facilities to assist those in need of farm inputs to improve coffee yields.

Kasaija asked the local government leaders to set targets for coffee growers, saying they would help the districts measure the progress in coffee growing and boost household incomes.

He issued the call on Thursday while presiding over a coffee show at the Kibaale district headquarters. The event was organised by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Café Africa and the district local government.
The show ran under the theme ‘unlocking the wealth in your coffee’.

Kasaija said the Cabinet is discussing the modalities of recruiting more extension staff at sub-counties to enhance agriculture.
“Every household must at least have half an acre of coffee garden if prosperity-for-all is to be realised,” he said.

The minister said while the Government was aware of the shortage of extension staff, he expressed concern over the laxity of the existing workers in service delivery.

Chrizestom Lubowa, the district secretary for security and community mobilisation, explained that good coffee picking practices would help farmers get quality coffee and high returns.

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