Gomba coffee farmer takes lead in promoting modern agronomy

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GOMBA - Uganda's coffee performance on the international scale continues to bring joy to farmers, including Topher Matsiko, who recently had his first harvest from 15 of his 65 acres of coffee.

According to the August 2025 performance of the economy report by the finance ministry, Uganda's export earnings from coffee rose by $40.13 million (19.1%) (about sh140b) in July from a year earlier.

The earnings increased from $210.48 million (about sh737b) in July 2024 to $250.60 million (about sh877.1b) in July 2025.

Matsiko, a farmer from Gomba district, who embraced coffee farming not more than five years ago, is already reaping from his dedication to one of Uganda's top foreign exchange earners.

The award, Topher Matsiko, a farmer from Gomba district received being displayed. (Courtesy photo)

During the International Coffee Day celebration in Jinja on October 2, 2025, Matsiko was recognised by the agriculture ministry as an exemplary farmer from the Greater Mpigi region in acknowledgement of his outstanding work in promoting modern coffee agronomy practices.

He was one of the many farmers from different regions to be recognised, among other categories.

The categories recognised during the event included Best Exporters, Taste of Harvest Competition Winners for 2024/2025 in both Arabica and Robusta, and Best Farmers, which is the category Matsiko belongs to.

Some other notable farmers from various regions included Umar Ddumba from the Central region, Johnson Kato Tibatya from the Eastern region, Waako Samuel also from the Eastern region, Dr Elijah Wakhamuke from the Elgon region, Michael Odong from the Mid North region, Lawrence Bandiho from the South Western region, and Grace Kwac from the West Nile region.

Topher Matsiko, a farmer from Gomba district showing off his award. (Courtesy photo)

The awards were handed over by the state minister for agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga.

Rauben Keimusya, the Assistant Commissioner, Division of Crop Production at MAAIF, who headed the verification committee, noted that Matsiko’s farm stood out in comparison to the rest because of adherence to good agronomic practices, proper spacing and good shade management.

“Every year we celebrate International Coffee Day and we award different categories of performers in the coffee value chain, beginning with farmers, processors, exporters and the people who have contributed a lot in the coffee industry,” Keimusya said.

Matsiko, who is ambitious and dreams of spreading the gospel of coffee farming to every Ugandan, acknowledges the support of the agriculture ministry through the Coffee and Cocoa Development (COCODEV) Project.

He credits this assistance with helping him successfully establish 50 acres of coffee and distinguishing him as a model farmer in the Greater Mpigi region.

A picture taken from Topher Matsiko's massive coffee farm in Gomba district. (Courtesy photo)

At the time of receiving the award, elated Matsiko said he was "deeply honoured by this recognition from the agriculture ministry. "This achievement is a result of collective effort, technical support, and the empowering programs like COCODEV that continue to transform agriculture in Uganda."

Building on the skills and knowledge gained through Ministry trainings and the COCODEV initiative, Matsiko has embarked on a new journey to share these best practices more widely.

He has established the Matsiko Agro Tourism Farm and Education Centre in Maddu Town Council, Gomba District, which will serve as a training and demonstration hub for farmers, students, and stakeholders interested in modern coffee agronomy.

"The centre aims to equip coffee farmers with practical skills, foster innovation, and promote sustainable coffee farming practices that can improve household incomes and transform livelihoods across Gomba District," he explained.