UCDA Leads Drive to Export Ugandan Coffee to World
How has coffee production in the country evolved, and what specific objectives and initiatives are included in the Uganda Coffee Roadmap 2030 that will further boost coffee production?
By FY2015/16, coffee production for 60 kg bags totalled 4.04m. At the end of FY2022/23, production of 60 kg bags had increased to 7.8m. The Coffee Roadmap, which covers the 2017-30 period, is dedicated to realising an ambitious goal of exporting 20m 60 kg bags of Ugandan coffee. This goal isn’t solely about reaching a specific volume; it centres on maximising the value derived from these 20m bags.
We’ve outlined nine key initiatives, organised into three pillars, each building upon the other. Pillar One is dedicated to creating demand and enhancing the value of Ugandan coffee. This includes collaborating with countries where we have trade deficits and know of their coffee imports. China is a significant player in this context, and the UCDA office there has been pivotal in promoting Ugandan coffee. We’re in negotiations to establish structured demand for Ugandan coffee in China and strengthen relationships with various organisations in a bid to achieve the first initiative in Pillar One. But our focus extends beyond China to emerging markets like the Middle East, which has a growing coffee culture and plenty of disposable income.
The second initiative in Pillar One aims to brand Ugandan coffee on the global stage and work on a geographical indication system to protect the uniqueness of our coffee’s taste and aroma. This second initiative, on branding, complements the third initiative, on increasing local coffee value addition. We also support primary and secondary processing for efficient coffee processing for farmers.
Pillar Two focuses on increasing production and productivity, which includes organising and promoting farmer cooperatives and expanding coffee planting areas, while Pillar Three focuses on enablers such as improved planting materials and access to finance and quality input.
How is Uganda addressing climate change’s impact on coffee farming, and what measures are being taken to promote sustainability in the coffee subsector?
Climate change has posed significant challenges to coffee farming in Uganda, resulting in unpredictable rainfall patterns, shifting seasons and rising temperatures. These changes have disrupted crop development and fruit formation. To address these issues, a comprehensive strategy is in place. Farmers are being educated in sustainable agricultural practices, with a particular emphasis on adopting drought-resistant coffee varieties. The education and training aim to enhance the resilience of coffee farming.
The National Coffee Research Institute is actively developing climate-resilient coffee varieties, making these new strains accessible to farmers. This initiative encourages the adoption of more resilient coffee crops. Collaboration with various development partners is a crucial aspect of our strategy. The EU provides grants to support farmers in transitioning to climate-resilient practices. These grants, which include subsidies and matching funds, are especially beneficial for farmers with 4-8 ha of land. This financial support helps offset initial costs and promotes environmentally friendly approaches.
The Nairobi Declaration elevated coffee to a priority status within the framework of Agenda 2063. Could you please outline the specific, tangible benefits that are expected to result from this agreement?
Our current policy direction involves the collective effort of 25 coffee-producing African countries. With nearly half of Africa’s nations engaged in coffee production, we aim to leverage our political influence and promote a commodity that has its origins in Africa. Arabica coffee is indigenous to Ethiopia, while Robusta coffee is indigenous into Uganda. Historically, coffee has moved from Africa to other countries, leading to increased production and value addition elsewhere. To address this issue, we are striving to make coffee a central focus on the African Union (AU’s) Agenda 2063. We seek to invest in value addition and use the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the world’s largest trading block. By gaining political support to elevate coffee to strategic commodity status within the AU, we aim to create a specialised organisation to drive down production costs, advance research and stimulate coffee trade within Africa.
Notably, North Africa is a significant consumer of coffee, but much of this coffee is exported to Europe and then returned to Africa. We envision facilitating coffee trade within Africa with zero tariffs to keep more value within the continent. This approach will generate additional income for individual farmers and enhance the coffee subsector’s growth. Additionally, we are examining how coffee can be treated within the AfCFTA framework in countries that consume coffee. We are also exploring the possibilities of investment from institutions like the African Development Bank and the African Export-Import Bank to support the value addition of coffee production. As Africans, we should fully appreciate and consume this commodity rather than merely export it, as coffee brings not only economic benefits, but also good health.