More than 100 farmers from Maddu Town Council in Gomba District have received free coffee seedlings in a bid to boost household incomes and fight poverty.
The seedlings were distributed by Eng. Moses Kazibwe at MK Mixed Farm in Budonga, Gomba District. During the exercise, Kazibwe handed out over 5,000 coffee seedlings to farmers, urging them to take proper care of the crop to improve their livelihoods.
“Coffee has become one of the most profitable crops in recent years. Households that grow coffee often see improvements in both financial stability and social standing. I encourage the people of Maddu to embrace coffee farming so they are not left behind,” Kazibwe said.
He emphasized that coffee farming can be successfully combined with livestock farming to increase productivity and reduce costs.
“I am both a livestock and crop farmer. Income from livestock allows me to invest in coffee farming, and the manure from my animals reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. I encourage people in Maddu to diversify and embrace coffee farming, as livestock alone may not always provide reliable income,” he added.
Kazibwe also highlighted coffee’s reliability as a source of income compared to livestock.
“Plant these coffee seedlings and nurture them. A cow may sometimes fail to produce milk, but coffee will continue to provide income that can help educate your children,” he noted.
The farmers were accompanied by Kellen Nuwayombeka, the district councilor representing Maddu Town Council, who urged beneficiaries to care for 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 treat each plant as carefully as they treat their cattle. Proper care now will allow you to benefit from both livestock and coffee farming in the future,” Nuwayombeka said.
The farmers expressed gratitude to Kazibwe for the timely support, noting that coffee seedlings have become expensive and scarce in many areas.
“Currently, a single coffee seedling costs between Shs2,500 and Shs3,000, and they are not always easy to find. We thank Mr. Moses Kazibwe for providing these seedlings free of charge and at the right time during the rainy season. We promise to plant and care for them as diligently as we care for our cattle so we can reap the benefits,” the farmers said.
Coffee farming has recently gained significant popularity in Gomba District, with many households now embracing the crop. The rising demand has also made coffee seedlings increasingly scarce in several areas.
