17
13/14
Several factorshaveattributed to thedeclinewereerraticweather patterns, coffeediseaseoutbreaks likecoffee
leaf rust andcoffeeberrydisease inArabicaareas, and coffeepests likeblack coffee twigborer, whichaffected
coffee yields
Furthermorewith the intensified seedling process; small scale
farmers have also realized the urge to be more organized,
more and more farmer organisations—groups, associations,
cooperatives—with the a coffee theme have come up. UCDA
is ready to work with these farmer organisations to boost
coffee production. I do commend the efforts that the coffee
exporters have taken up not only through their corporate
social responsibilitybut also throughdonor supportedprojects
to empower coffee farmers to boost quality and quantity of
coffee produced. Through processes like this Uganda coffee
production volumes are bound to hit the 4.5million bags prior
than estimated.
Makingagood cupof coffee
Through the increasingnumberofcoffeeshops,coffeedrinking
becoming the “IT” drink among the youths and trendy among
the middle income earners Uganda’s coffee consumption
has grown tremendously compared to decade ago. This is
reflected in thegrowingnumbersof coffeevolumesconsumed
locally from 120,000 to over 140,000 (60Kg) bags.
HonourableMinisterof state forAgriculture,Mr.Vincent
Bamulanzeki Ssempijja, the outgoing and incoming
presidents of UCF and theMD of UCDA at the Annual
CoffeeStakeholdersMeeting.
On behalf of UCDA and the entire coffee fraternity I wish to
commend the efforts made by the coffee stakeholders in
ensuring that production and productivity remains on the
agenda although significant efforts are required to increase
productivity. With special emphasis I congratulate Uganda
CoffeeFederationand itsmembershipaswell asdevelopment
partners for thecollaborationwith thecoffee farmers toensure
sustainablequality coffeeproduction.Weat UCDAarealways
ready to partner and work with you for the betterment of the
coffee industry in Uganda. 2013/14 has been a great coffee
year and given the trends I am envisaging 2014/15 to be
better.
