Residents of Lwemiyaga Constituency have received a boost in agricultural development after their area Member of Parliament-elect, Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande, distributed 5,000 coffee seedlings aimed at increasing household incomes and promoting commercial farming.
The seedlings were handed over to farmers in selected sub-counties, with Kyeera and Lwemiyaga taking the lead as the first beneficiaries in the ongoing exercise.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage more residents to actively engage in coffee growing, a crop widely regarded as a reliable source of income in Uganda.
Speaking on his behalf, aide Umar Kalanzi emphasised the importance of embracing coffee farming as a pathway to economic transformation.
“Coffee is one of the most profitable crops we have in this country. I urge all farmers who have received these seedlings to plant them and take good care of them so that they can improve their household incomes,” he said.
He added that the specific variety distributed, KR coffee seedlings, is known for its high yield and ability to produce larger beans, making it more competitive on the market.
“The KR variety is not only high-yielding but also produces bigger beans, which fetch better prices. This is an opportunity for our farmers to move from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture,” he explained.
Local leaders welcomed the initiative, noting it could significantly improve livelihoods if farmers follow proper agronomic practices.
Rogers Byarugaba, a farmer from Kyeera Sub-county and one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the support, saying the seedlings will help expand his coffee plantation.
“We thank our leader for thinking about us. Coffee has been helping many families here, and with these seedlings, we expect better yields in the coming years,” he said.
Agricultural experts have advised farmers to ensure proper spacing, regular weeding, and effective pest control to maximise productivity.
The distribution comes as the government and other stakeholders intensify efforts to promote coffee growing as part of Uganda’s strategy to increase export earnings.
With the planting season approaching, farmers in Lwemiyaga are expected to take full advantage of the initiative and contribute to the growth of the coffee sector.
