Banyenzaki advises Mubende coffee farmers

Apr 18, 2013

Minister Henry Banyenzaki has urged farmers to unite and develop the coffee industry by embracing the commercial agriculture.

By OYET OKWERA

The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Henry Banyenzaki has urged farmers to unite and develop the coffee industry by embracing the commercial agriculture to generate more income.


He observed that co-existence in agriculture helps commercialise agriculture which is government's emphasis.

Banyenzaki was addressing stakeholders in Mubende district during a tour to Kaweeri Coffee Plantation with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Klaus Dieter Duxman recently.

The tour follows a recent case in which the coffee firm was in the High Court accused of evicting the area residents from the land.

Justice Anup Singh Choudry who presided over the case awarded sh37b as compensation to the residents for their land.

 "We have respect for the judiciary but that notwithstanding, we have an obligation to restore confidence among investors," Banyenzaki said.

He called on Kaweeri Coffee Plantation to reach out to the community for more coffee outgrowers.

Banyezaki said, "Our investment in coffee is immense and we would like to partner with big farms like Kaweeri so that millions of seedlings are distributed to the farmers."

"I think the person who put this matter in court is not from Mubende community because this court case threatens many jobs that have already been created by the investors," he added.

According to Banyenzaki, government position remains firmly in support rather than interfering with the progress of investors in the country.

Etienne Steyn, the managing director, Kaweeri Coffee Plantation pledged continuous support to other coffee farmers in Mubende. Steyn appreciated government's commitment to restoring confidence among investors and pledged to continue working closely with the neighbouring farmers.

Kaweeri farm project has been extended to Luwero, Nakaseke, Masaka and Kasese districts and the project supports 53,000 small holder households.

The Mubende district Woman MP Benny Namugwanya Bugembe, noted that unemployment was a challenge and thanked Kaweeri farm for offering employment opportunities.  

 

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