Kitagwenda Farmers Capitalise on Soaring Coffee Prices to Boost Income
Coffee cooperatives and traders report a significant rise in the number of farmers turning to coffee production, particularly in Buhanda, Ntara, Nyabanni sub-counties, and Kitagwenda Town Council.
A surge in coffee prices has sparked a farming revolution in Kitagwenda District, with more farmers shifting towards coffee cultivation to capitalize on the growing demand for the crop.
Coffee cooperatives and traders report a significant rise in the number of farmers turning to coffee production, particularly in Buhanda, Ntara, Nyabanni sub-counties, and Kitagwenda Town Council.
Currently, the price of clean Robusta coffee in Kitagwenda Town Council ranges between Shs14,500 and Shs 5,000 per kilogramme, while clean Arabica coffee fetches between Shs12,500 and Shs13,000 per kilogram.
This is a considerable increase from previous years when the price per kilogram was much lower.
Geoffrey Abaine, Chairperson of the Ntara Producer Coffee Cooperative, attributes this shift to the attractive prices of coffee.
“In the past, when coffee prices were low, many farmers didn’t prioritize it. But now, with prices soaring, coffee farming has become a major focus for many households," Abaine explained in an interview with the Nile Post.
Some farmers have even switched from other crops to coffee. “I decided to cut down my vanilla and replace it with coffee after realizing that coffee prices are now higher than vanilla,” said one farmer in the region.
Naboth Nkamubona, Kitagwenda District Production Officer, cautioned farmers against dedicating all their land to coffee at the expense of food security.
“While coffee is a good cash crop, farmers must ensure they reserve land for food production to prevent hunger in their households," Nkamubona advised.
The Ugandan government has been pushing for more value addition in coffee exports to maximize profits for farmers.
President Museveni has been actively seeking international markets, recently promoting Ugandan coffee exports to Serbia.
Uganda remains a coffee powerhouse in Africa, being the continent’s top coffee exporter and second-largest producer, with over 1.8 million small-scale coffee farmers supporting the industry.
In the 2021/22 financial year, the country exported over 5.76 million 60kg bags, earning USD 846 million.
Despite challenges such as low yields, fluctuating prices, and exploitation by middlemen, Uganda’s coffee sector holds immense potential.
The government is investing in farmer training, better processing facilities, and quality improvements to enhance the sector's global competitiveness.
As coffee prices continue to rise, Kitagwenda farmers are seizing the opportunity to turn the crop into a sustainable source of income for their families and communities.
