RUBIRIZI – Local coffee farmers in western Uganda have been encouraged to stop harvesting immature beans, in a decisive move to elevate the region’s coffee standards onto the international stage.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The appeal was issued on June 24, 2026, during a comprehensive training session for coffee farmers in Rubirizi District, aimed at aligning local production with stringent global quality standards and new European market regulations.
The sensitization drive, spearheaded by Cafe Africa in partnership with the Rubirizi District Local Government, brought together coffee farmers, local leaders, extension workers, and religious leaders.
Cafe Africa trainer Moses Mugumye urged Rubirizi coffee farmers to abandon premature harvesting, warning that immature beans fetch low prices and damage the region’s coffee reputation.
He also cautioned against destroying forests and wetlands for coffee expansion, noting that such practices compromise bean quality and violate international environmental laws.
“Harvesting immature coffee is a disservice to your hard work. Poor quality harvests not only attract low prices but also tarnish the district’s reputation. I therefore urge you, farmers, to embrace patience and prioritize quality if you are to reap higher earnings under the new European market regulations,” urged Mugumye.
Mugumye stressed that compliance with new European market regulations and the UN Coffee Deforestation Regulation is mandatory, with offenders facing legal prosecution moving forward.
District Agriculture Officer Barigye Didas noted that the coffee farmers’ training boosts farm productivity while protecting the environment for future generations, as farmers gain skills in sustainable production and post-harvest management.
He further called on farmers to abandon the subsistence mindset and instead treat coffee as a serious business enterprise capable of generating substantial income.
“Through this initiative, we kill two birds with one stone: improving farm management and yields while safeguarding our environment for the children of Rubirizi. We are equipping our farmers and extension workers with the skills necessary for sustainable production and proper post-harvest handling,” said Didas.
Didas confirmed that Rubirizi District has commenced a village-by-village registration drive to officially document all coffee farmers and ensure their operations align with the latest regulatory requirements.
Rwandaro Coffee Growers Association Chairperson Mubangizi John revealed that farmers collectively agreed on three pillars, quality, environmental protection, and registration, for better prices and sustainability.
“We have agreed that prioritizing quality coffee, protecting our environment, and completing farmer registration are the three pillars that will lead us to higher prices and a sustainable future,” Mubangizi stated.
He further urged farmers to adopt proactive farm management practices, including weeding, pruning, spraying, and manure application, to guarantee the harvest of only mature, high-quality cherries for better earnings.
Practicing coffee farmers Muhirwe Daphine from Katerera and Justine Kyimpe from Mushumba commended Cafe Africa and Rubirizi District Local Government for the invaluable knowledge shared during the initiative.
They expressed confidence that the new skills would enable them to increase household incomes and ensure that coffee production directly benefits their families and communities.
“This training has opened our eyes to better methods of production. With these skills, we are confident that we can increase our household incomes and ensure that the coffee we grow truly benefits us and our families,” said Kyimpe.
Uganda projects coffee production will surge by 14.8% to 9.3 million 60-kg bags in 2025/26, driven by new acreage from government-issued seedlings and free fertilizer support for farmers.
The Government has actively promoted organic fertilizers and modern processing equipment, boosting coffee yields and quality to cement Uganda’s status as Africa’s leading coffee exporter.
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