By Nantaba Lukia
As part of efforts to support the diversification of farming activities, farmers in Nyabunyungu village, Kibanda parish, Kamwezi sub county, Rukiga district have been introduced to coffee growing.
The initiative started with the distribution of over 2million coffee seedlings to farmers affiliated with the Kigezi farmers transformation Initiative
The ground work for these coffee nursery beds began in 2020 following research aimed at determining the suitability of Rukiga soils for growing Arabica coffee.
Slyiva Arineitwe Mwanaki, chairperson of the Kigezi Farmers’ Transformation Initiatives, explained that association members initiated coffee cultivation after recognizing that Rukiga district lacked a major cash crop to generate income, with most farmers relying on subsistence agriculture.
Jimmy Baluku, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) Manager for Kigezi and Ankole says that Rukiga district should take led in coffee growing since it contributes greatly on the economy of the country.He adds that coffee is that main cash crop grown across the country where currently Uganda exports over 6.5million bags of coffee.
According to the farmers,they say that they welcome coffee growing within the district and they ready to start up with the planting of the seedlings.
Farmers are hopefully that Arabic type of coffee will match with the soils and weather conditions of Rukiga district.
Retired Colonel Joram Basheija, the OWC Director responsible for the western region, expressed readiness to support the program’s progress and help farmers.
Most of the population in Rukiga district rely on subsistence farming, which has contributed to widespread poverty in the area.
