Coffee has been and remains Uganda’s leading cash crop. It has been Uganda’s top foreign exchange earner for decades until two years ago when it was overtaken by tourism industry. Uganda is among the top 10 coffee producers in the world. Uganda produced 3.7 million bags in 2015, earning the country US$444m (Shs1.5trillion) in foreign exchange. Uganda’s output is set to hit 4.8 million bags this year which may earn the country an estimated US$576m (Shs1.94trillion). The government of Uganda through OWC will distribute 300 million coffee seedlings, this will help lift coffee production from four million to 20 million bags of coffee annually by 2020.
Coffee accounts for 20% of Uganda’s export revenues. It is estimated that 20% of the entire population earn all or a large part of their cash income from coffee. In fact available information indicates that at least 1.7 million households rely on coffee industry for income but the sector also employs a number of people both directly and indirectly. It is reported that 200 million coffee seedlings have been distributed in recent years by NAADS/Operation Wealth Creation and more 100 million coffee seedlings are set to be distributed, taking the total to 300 million. This means in the next five years, Uganda’s coffee production is set to increase exponentially if best agronomic practices and effective/management of the coffee sector are implemented.
As coffee nursery operators and distributors, we're doing a lot of research about coffee. Coffee can transform Uganda’s economy if handled well. For example, one acre if managed well can give you an average of Shs9m. This is because an acre accommodates 450 seedlings considering spacing of 10ft (3 metres) from one plant to another. This is for Robusta coffee. With an average of 5kgs per plant, a farmer will harvest 2250kgs of unshelled coffee (kiboko) per season. With an average price of Shs 2200 per kilo (as at 31st May 2017 UCDA) a farmer will earn Shs4.9m. Given that there are two coffee seasons in a year, a farmer could earn Shs9m in a year.
The current prices for This is at a lower level because it is possible to harvest 10kgs per tree which could earn a farmer Shs9m in a single season. With two acres, a farmer can earn an average of Shs20m per year. Noteworthy, if you add value to your coffee, the returns will be much higher. Needless to say, coffee can be grown in many parts of Uganda, meaning that if each household grew a minimum of an acre, poverty would be history. Coffee takes an average of three years to start producing. The costs of maintaining coffee especially after reaching the flowering stage is quite low. Coffee seedlings are given free of charge to farmers by the government. However, if you want to buy, the price ranges from Shs300-500. Market indicators are that coffee is likely to remain stable in coming years as more people increasingly consume it globally. I believe if Uganda ups production and ensures quality, it could become one of the top five coffee producers in the world and consequently foreign exchange earnings from coffee will skyrocket.
For successful coffee production, a free draining soil with minimum depth of 3 feet before reaching an impermeable soil is required. Coffee will not tolerate water logging or wet feet. Coffee may be grown on different soil types, but the ideal is fertile, volcanic red earth or deep, sandy loam. For good productivity, avoid heavy clay or poor drained soils. coffee prefers a soil pH OF 5.5 to 7.0 where the required mineral nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium and molybdenum are at their peaks. Low pH 5.0 or high pH of higher than 7.5 will limit crop performance due to lack of major mineral nutrients.
Planting holes should be dug after it has rained prior to planting. As the soils would still be moist, digging is made easier. The size of the hole is 45 cm square at the top, and is 45 cm deep. In digging the sub-soil should be heaped to one side of the hole, and the top-soil to the other. The hole is left to weather for about 2-3 months.
At the onset of the rains, the holes are filled, the top soil going in first. This is followed by the sub-soil mixed with one tin of well-rotted manure or compost for each hole.
To receive free coffee seedlings for the 2nd Planting season e.g. September to October, kindly complete the online form below. PLEASE NOTE: Only 2 coffee varieties are given out e.g. Elite Robusta and Arabica Coffee. As well you can apply for seedlings upto 100 acres of land (43,000 coffee seedlings).
For more inquiries, kindly contact us by email coffee@greeninguganda.org or by phone 0752-200003 / 0776200002 or Whatsapp +256-793-200002 or Visit our offices in Kisubi Entebbe Road Google Map. You can also visit our facebook page for more information Facebook Page link
