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13/14
Lookingbeyondbreeding, NACORI has a
role toplay in furtheringour understanding
of thebest strategies to control pests and
diseases in the agro-ecology of Uganda
anddevelopingregional recommendations
for integrated soil fertilitymanagement.
Dissemination of existing and new
knowledgetoallcoffeefarmersisadaunting
task. Communication, collaboration and
a strong national extension system are
essential components to give farmers
the tools they need to increase coffee
production.
The Ugandan coffee industry, in my
opinion, is inmuchbetter shape thanever
with thekeyplayers in thechainexecuting
their responsibilities in a determined and
professional fashion.We still need tokeep
improving especially as I have already
mentioned at production level.
There is the need for coffee farmers to
adopt better agricultural practicessuchas
stumping, pruning, mulching, picking ripe
cherries – all of these improvements add
tremendous value to the coffee business.
Outlook
The outlook on the global market currently looks rather
encouraging from an absolute value or price viewpoint unlike
last year when many pundits were still talking of bumper
Brazilian crops.
Demand looks decent enough especially in the newly
emerging markets although the strength of this demand will
be dependent to some extent on the security and overall
health of the global economy.
Themarkets are always challenging andUganda always rises
to the challenge –wewish everyone a successful coffee year
2014/15.
Research
For several years members of the UCF Board have been
championing the need for an independent coffee research
body. I am really pleased to say that such a body has now
beencreatedwith thenameNationalCoffeeResearch Institute
(NACORI). I hope all members will take a keen interest in this
entity andgive it their support.
NACORI’s predecessor COREChas done agreat jobwith the
development of 7CWD resistant varieties. Breeding, however,
never stops. The continuous search for better varieties that
aremore drought tolerant, show better resistance to pests or
diseases, are higher yielding and have a better cup profile is
important for thesuccessof anycountry’scoffeesector.Being
the birthplace of Robusta, Uganda has an enormous genetic
diversity. We wish NACORI success as they explore and use
this diversity to the benefit of the coffee industry.
