Africa often appears enigmatic, particularly due to the actions of its educated elite. There is often a disconnect between their public statements and private practices. Take the issue of coffee, for example. Many leading the discourse on coffee are not directly involved in its cultivation. If coffee holds such significance, why aren’t they more engaged in its promotion, cultivation, or trade? It’s concerning when tribalism infiltrates coffee farming debates.
As someone with extensive experience as a coffee trader, processor, and farmer, I can genuinely articulate the needs of coffee farmers. To produce high-quality coffee, farmers require five key elements: 1) quality seedlings, 2) effective pesticides, 3) appropriately priced fertilizers, 4) robust irrigation systems, and 5) rigorous post-harvest quality control. With these, coffee production could be truly liberated!
I believe it’s important to remain neutral in the ongoing debate between the government and opposition regarding coffee production, as both sides seem to have questionable interests. The government’s focus appears to be primarily on increasing revenue from taxation, remember it started from 1%, possibly raising it from 2% to as much as 10%, with little consideration for how this might impact the business negatively. Meanwhile, the opposition seems more interested in exploiting issues to sow division within society, involving groups like the Buganda and Bunyoro kingdoms, even though the farmers’ situations remain largely unchanged with or without the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA). Additionally, there are populists who dominate media and discussion forums, often complicating matters with references to historical documents and organizations like the IMF and World Bank, which may not resonate with everyday citizens or farmers.
What is truly needed are the five critical actions that could significantly improve the coffee industry. Only after addressing these can meaningful conversations about value addition occur. We don’t necessarily need the UCDA, as its longstanding presence has led to numerous shortcomings. What is crucial is the establishment of a robust policy framework to genuinely promote coffee production in the country.
