By Nicholas Aharizira
The coffee milling price in Rukungiri district has been increased from UGX 150 to 200shs per kilogram.
This was revealed on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting at New palm Royal hotel in Rukungiri Municipality, which attracted officials from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
Coffee processors expressed their concern about the little money they charge their customers yet they spend a lot to do their work, thereby resolving to increase the milling price to 200.
According to Isaac Mugarura, the chairperson Rukungiri coffee processors’ Association, they are going through challenges like high taxes, high bills of electricity, and rent, among other challenges, leading them to incur losses.
The meeting also resolved that farmers should be given their coffee husks after processing, and processors to prohibit processing coffee whose moisture is above 14 degrees.
Dick Niwamanya the Rukungiri district UCDA coordinator threatened to follow up and penalize processors, traders, and farmers who usually harvest and process pre-mature coffee, which he attributed to advances given to farmers.
He asked processors to process mature and well-handled coffee to maintain the quality of Uganda’s coffee.
Oneck Pius the Senior Agriculture Officer Rukungiri district challenged Coffee processors to liaise and stop the habit of processing pre-mature and poorly handled coffee if they want to benefit much.
He also asked farmers to implement the resolution of giving farmers their coffee husks after processing, noting that husks help farmers to maintain soil fertility hence increasing production.
1 Comment