At the 54th Inter African Coffee Organisation (IACO) Annual General Assembly (AGA), delegates held the 2nd African Coffee Symposium in Kampala, Uganda, from November 17th to 18th 2014, under the theme: “Unlocking the potential of the African Coffee Industry”.
The General Assembly, preceded by the 2nd African Coffee Symposium, was officially opened on 19th November 2014 by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, with the keynote address delivered by Her Excellency Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Economy at the African Union Commission, attended by Ministers, Ugandan Parliamentarians, representatives of international and regional bodies, and Delegates from IACO member states.
From the wide range of reports and papers discussed at the Symposium, the General Assembly made the following declaration:
1) Given the importance of coffee in the African Economy, including poverty reduction in rural communities;
2) Noting the continued decline of coffee industry in a number of African countries;
3) Considering the emerging challenges contributing to the decline;
4) Noting the commitment and input of IACO in the renaissance coffee sector in Africa;
5) Considering the contribution of private sector in the development of coffee industry;
There is urgent need to unlock the huge potential of the African coffee industry.
The following key actions should be taken by Governments of member States:
i. Governance and policy
– Should strengthen and develop Public Private Partnerships;
– Should support implementation of a national coffee development policy and strategy.
ii. Productivity and quality
– Should strengthen the capacity for coffee research in member states;
– Should improve productivity, quality and value-addition in a sustainable manner.
iii. Finance and inputs
– Should create an enabling environment for access to finance and appropriate technology in the coffee value chain;
– Should strengthen and/or facilitate the establishment of farmer organisations in the coffee value chain.
iv. Climate change
– Should undertake measures to identify and mitigate the effects of climate change, including resurgence of pests and diseases.
v. Gender and youth
– Should undertake to strengthen and reinforce the participation and/or integration of women and youth in promoting sustainable coffee value.
Kampala, 20th November 2014
