Stakeholders in the Coffee value chain have met to identify challenges affecting Coffee in the Rwenzori region and devise possible means to address them.

The move is aimed at improving the quality of Ugandan which has since remained a concern on the world market.

Hon. Alice Kaboyo Minister of state for Rwenzori Luwero says Coffee remains Uganda's biggest export earner. But even then, the quality of Ugandan Coffee remains a concern on the world market.

" this has prompted stakeholders in the Coffee value chain to put heads together in a bid to improve the quality of the product, Hon. Kaboyo  said."



According to the permanent secretary Ministry of Agriculture Maj. Gen. David Kasura, extension workers need to be facilitated to re-awaken farmers on best agricultural practices.

"there is need for more research by research institutions if Ugandan Coffee is to be improved to compete on the world market.

Maj.Gen. Kasura asserts.

Jonny Rawland the Managing Director Agri-Evolve coffee processing plant says the continued picking of unripe coffee cherries affects the quality.

He cited infrastructure, electricity, climatic change, limited finance Accessibility by farmers and poor roads among Challenges.



 "As Agri Evolve, we have established ways of seeing how best we train farmers and extending good market to them. We have also provided donkeys to help in transportation, Rowland said."

Rowland says Rwenzori is blessed and the coffee produced is of good quality.

Immaculate Mbambu a Coffee farmers narrates that the urgent need for money forces them harvest unripe coffee. But to some, unripe coffee has less returns.

Meanwhile, Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye - Managing Director UCDA revealed that there is a new coffee law which was going to be implemented to curb down the vice which is likely to affect coffee quality.

" We have in place a new law and we are hopeful that this will sort out the uncertainty in coffee Business,"  Dr. Iyamulemye said.

Among other dignitaries was Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Minister of State Agriculture, Animal husbandry & Fisheries.

Coffee is Uganda's top-earning export crop. 



Ends.

Comments
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.