Authorities in Ibanda District have renewed their call for coffee farmers to stop harvesting immature coffee beans, warning that the practice is harming Uganda’s coffee reputation and reducing farmers’ incomes.
During a sensitization campaign on Wednesday in Ibanda North and South, Peter Abaho Bwengye, the District Production Officer, emphasized the importance of adhering to proper harvesting standards if farmers are to benefit from lucrative international markets.
“We continue to see some farmers harvesting unripe coffee despite our repeated warnings,” Bwengye said.
“Harvesting unripe coffee berries results in a low-quality product, which not only affects prices but also tarnishes Uganda’s coffee reputation globally.”
The operation, which involved field visits to coffee gardens and drying grounds, found several farmers still engaging in poor post-harvest practices. In one case, a farmer in Bwera Cell, Nyamarebe Sub-county was discovered drying immature coffee beans directly on bare ground.
“That method drastically reduces the coffee’s value and quality,” Bwengye explained. “We must collectively protect the integrity of Uganda’s coffee.” he emphasized.
In April, Ibanda District authorities stepped up enforcement efforts by seizing and dumping bags of unripe and rotten coffee, sending a clear message to errant farmers.
These crackdowns are part of a broader strategy to uphold the quality of coffee, Uganda’s leading export crop.
Captain Innocent Byaruhanga, the Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation in Ibanda North, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to both enforcement and education.
“Our goal is to help farmers achieve better prices by maintaining high-quality standards,” he said. “Ibanda’s coffee should be recognized for its excellence on the international stage, and we will continue working with farmers to make that a reality.”
Local leaders and agricultural officers are hopeful that with consistent sensitization and firm action, farmers in the region will adopt better practices that boost both their earnings and the country’s export credibility.
