KAMPALA, Uganda – Government of Uganda has been pushing for the export of 20million bags of coffee per annum and has in the process boosted the coffee sub-sector. As the demand for good quality coffee is increases, many entrepreneurs and young people are looking at coffee as a viable investment option. To guide and support these emerging farmers, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has unveiled two coffee handbooks – one for robusta and another for arabica – to guide farmers in the best practices in order to succeed.
Unveiling the handbooks, Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the UCDA Managing Director said, “As we welcome investors into the coffee sector, I call on you to read the robusta and arabica coffee handbooks to guide your journey.”
In line with promoting the growth of the sub-sector, Government through UCDA continues to explore new markets for the young and emerging coffee farmers.
“Opening up new markets for our coffee is critical to the success of the sector and ensuring our farmers get value for their coffee and effort.”
Iyamulemye said this on the backdrop of meeting a delegation of coffee investors of Al-Bader Group from Kuwait on February 18, 2021. The delegation was led by James Kinobe, Uganda’s ambassador to Sudan and coordinated Robina Magoba from Uganda Investment Authority. Dr. Iyamulemye said accessing market in the Middle East has been UCDA’s focus and he was pleased they have chosen to invest in Uganda.
He explained to them the uniqueness of Uganda’s robusta and promised they will not regret investing in Uganda. “It (robusta) flourishes in areas where altitudes range from 1,000 to 1,500 metres above sea level. This relatively high altitude for robusta production, combined with unique soils and farming systems, give Ugandan robusta an unmatched level of quality in the world,” he said.
