Coffee farmers implore gov't to root out distributors of sub standard Agro chemicals.

Poor harvests of agricultural products have been blamed on companies that supply sub standard and fake pesticides to farmers thereby causing losses.

As a result farmers have asked the government to guarantee the source of seedlings especially coffe that can guarantee high yield and productivity.

Coffee is a cash cow that has helped us to educate our children, build comfortable houses and some of us have managed to buy cars using proceeds from coffee since.

The farmers especially coffee farmers are asking for establishment of a minimum price for coffee which can be reached upon through farmers groups that not only mobilize and organize farmers but also help them  to market and sell our coffee out of Uganda at a favorable price.-Ssemakula Titus, Kalingo, Bagezza, Mubende District.

This follows the launch of a farmers project titled; ‘‘Fair for All –aimed at Improving Coffee Value Chains’’.

The project piloted in mubende district is targeting all coffee value chain actors to the ensure that they benefit from their activities.

Jane Nalunga, Executive Director, SEATINI Uganda says Coffee production is critical especially in the post COVID 19 economic recovery.

Coffee as a cash crop has potential to get people out of poverty. Farmers have grappled with fake seeds that compromise the productivity. Non-adherence to standards has made farmers to get meagre proceeds from selling their coffee.

“Through the Fair for All projects, Eastern Africa Trade and Information Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) Uganda, in partnership  with different NGOs,we intend to create a platform for various actors across the value chain which in turn will work towards ensuring that farmers’ voices are reflected in the government’s policies, laws and plans”, says mrs Nalunga.

The coffee enterprise has alot of opportunities along the entire value chain, comprising of processers, seedling producers and marketers who all need to be well coordinated.