More than 100 farmers from Maddu Town Council in Gomba District have received free coffee seedlings in a move aimed at boosting household incomes and fighting poverty.
The seedlings were distributed by Eng. Moses Kazibwe at MK Mixed Farm located in Budonga, Gomba District.
During the exercise, Kazibwe handed out over 5,000 coffee seedlings to farmers and urged them to take proper care of the crop to improve their household livelihoods.
Kazibwe noted that coffee has become one of the most profitable crops in recent years, adding that many homes that grow coffee have seen improvements in both their financial stability and social status.
“Coffee is currently a highly marketable crop. Wherever you go today, households that grow coffee are visibly different from those that don’t, especially in terms of income and overall welfare. I therefore encourage the people of Maddu to embrace this crop so that they are not left behind,” Moses Kazibwe said.
He further explained that farmers can successfully combine coffee growing with livestock farming, which he said can increase productivity and reduce production costs.
“I am both a livestock farmer and a crop farmer. The income I get from livestock helps me invest in coffee farming, and because of the manure from my animals, I rarely need to buy chemical fertilizers," he said.
"I encourage our people in Maddu not to depend on livestock alone but also embrace coffee farming since the manure from our cattle and goats can help nurture the coffee plants from planting to harvest."
Kazibwe also reminded farmers that while livestock may sometimes fail to produce milk, coffee remains a reliable source of income.
“Plant these coffee seedlings and take good care of them. A cow may fail to produce milk, but coffee will still give you what can help to educate your children,” he emphasized.
The farmers were led by the district councilor representing Maddu Town Council, Kellen Nuwayombeka, who urged beneficiaries to treat the coffee plants with the same dedication they give to their livestock.
“Maddu is well known for livestock farming, but I urge everyone who has received these coffee seedlings to take good care of them. Treat each coffee plant the way you treat your cattle. If it requires watering, do it so that in the future you can benefit from both livestock and coffee farming,” Kellen Nuwayombeka said.
The farmers who received the seedlings expressed gratitude to Kazibwe for the timely support, noting that coffee seedlings have become expensive and scarce in many areas.
“Today, a single coffee seedling costs between Shs2,500 and Shs3,000, and even then they are not easy to find. We thank Mr. Moses Kazibwe for providing us free of charge and at the right time during the rainy season when they are needed for planting. We promise to plant and take good care of them just like we take care of our cattle so that we can also benefit,” the farmers said.
Coffee farming has recently gained significant popularity in Gomba District, with many households now embracing the crop. This increased demand has also made coffee seedlings scarce in several areas.
