Teopista Nakiboneka, Secretary of the Budda Parish Coffee Farmers’ Association, voiced the concerns of her group, indicating that many farmers are hesitant to register. She pointed out that farmers have long struggled with challenges such as high-cost counterfeit inputs, and resilient pests and diseases, without adequate government support.
Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA)'s plan to register and issue location identification numbers to coffee farmers has sparked concerns among key stakeholders in Masaka district. The registration exercise aims to create a comprehensive databank of farmers, a requirement for Uganda to continue accessing international coffee markets, where the majority of the country’s coffee is sold.
UCDA seeks to establish a system that traces the origin of coffee throughout the production chain, ensuring quality and addressing environmental and human rights issues tied to commercial activities. However, local coffee farmers in Masaka are expressing reservations, fearing that the initiative may introduce new problems rather than solve the existing ones.
Teopista Nakiboneka, Secretary of the Budda Parish Coffee Farmers’ Association, voiced the concerns of her group, indicating that many farmers are hesitant to register. She pointed out that farmers have long struggled with challenges such as high-cost counterfeit inputs, and resilient pests and diseases, without adequate government support.
Nakiboneka questioned the government’s decision to register farmers before addressing these ongoing issues. She urged UCDA to conduct extensive sensitization about the registration's benefits and make clear commitments to solving existing problems before expecting farmers to provide accurate data.
//Cue in: “okuwandiisa abalimi…..
Cue out: …..wabaddewo ekibira.”//
Sayidi Kizito, a coffee farmer from Kidda parish in Masaka, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that UCDA should offer direct benefits, such as free fertilizers and pesticides, to registered farmers to encourage participation. Without such incentives, he doubts farmers will embrace the exercise.
"Maybe they should give free fertilizers and pesticides to every farmer that gets registered. That way, we can be lured to provide the accurate details,” he says.
Similarly, Jimmy Sande, a farmer from Kyankole Village in Butenga sub-county, Bukomansimbi district, acknowledged the importance of securing international markets but argued that the government must first address the frustrations farmers face locally. He suggested that the registration should be conducted through established coffee farmers’ cooperative societies, rather than unfamiliar teams, to avoid intimidating farmers.
//Cue in: “government kyegamba…..
Cue out: …..abantu kati.”//
In response, Dr. Gerald Kyalo, UCDA Director for Development Services, encouraged farmers to participate in the registration process, stressing that it will help Uganda maintain access to critical international coffee markets. He also mentioned that UCDA is working with key opinion leaders to dispel misconceptions and mobilize farmers ahead of the European Union's December 30th compliance deadline.
