The Uganda Coffee Development Authority-UCDA has embarked on an enlightenment campaign to help stakeholders in the Coffee value chain n Rwenzori region understand the significance of the controversial National Coffee Act, 2021.
The campaign follows controversies from different stakeholders in the region questioning the operations and benefits of the new law to small scale farmers.
Gazzated in September 2021, the coffee act is purposed to facilitate a competitive, participatory and sustainable coffee sub-sector in accordance with the National Coffee Policy, 2013; to enable the UCDA to regulate, promote and oversee the coffee sub-sector; in addition to regulating on-farm and off-farm activities in the coffee value chain.
But farmers in Kasese who interacted with URN think that the new legislation is intended to give more powers to government to control the ages-old coffee sector more than the farmer themselves.
The regional quality manager Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Gordon Katwirenabo says that although the legislation is meant to boost quality coffee production, they have received a lot of public criticism.
He attributed this to the limited awareness that was given to farmers before the act was drafted and put into law.
Katwirenabo believes the act is the best development that has happened to the coffee sector in recent years since it will be right at the heart of government.
He said Ugandan coffee dealers have a great opportunity to penetrate the international sales chain but this rests on the stability of production.
But the farmers says the coffee act 2021 is likely to chase many farmers and coffee traders from the business.
Alex Kambale, the chairperson of Coffee traders in Kasese says that whereas the law boasts some postives, it should extensively be explained well to the farmers so that they can stay in the business.
Charles Kisembo a coffee farmer says with or without the coffee law there are still challenges that need to be addressed especially in rural areas such as improving on value addition, fertilizers and pest and disease control.
Moses Mumbere another coffee farmer says the new law scared most of the farmers since it was passed without engaging them to understand its actual motive and they are certain they cannot meet some of the clauses.
He noted that traditionally coffee was grown as any other agricultural product.
But Katwirenabo says some of these issues are emerging because farmer’s have not fully been given the right information.
He is hopeful that under this drive the law will be positively appreciated.
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