MICHAEL N
Authorities in Ntungamo District have issued a strong warning to coffee farmers and community members against practices that compromise the quality and market value of Uganda’s coffee during the ongoing harvest season.
The Ntungamo District Agriculture Officer, Esther Atwine, expressed concern over the increasing tendency among some farmers to harvest immature green coffee cherries, dry them on bare ground, and store them in poorly ventilated or compacted spaces. She noted that such practices significantly reduce the quality of coffee, ultimately affecting Uganda’s competitiveness on the global market.
Atwine emphasized that Ntungamo District hosts more than 200 coffee milling facilities across its villages and town councils, all of which are focused on purchasing high-quality produce. She urged farmers to adopt proper harvesting methods, particularly hand-picking, to ensure that only fully ripe red cherries are selected. According to her, harvesting coffee in a single round leads to the mixing of immature and mature cherries, which lowers both quality and yield.
She also raised concern over rising cases of coffee theft, especially involving individuals who previously sold their coffee gardens but return during the harvest season to steal from the new owners. Authorities have warned that such acts will not be tolerated.
To address these challenges, an enforcement team comprising Operation Wealth Creation personnel, police, and agricultural officers has been deployed across the district. The team is tasked with monitoring compliance and will confiscate any prematurely harvested coffee or coffee dried on bare soil. These efforts are aimed at ensuring adherence to proper post-harvest handling practices and improving the overall quality of coffee from the district.
Meanwhile, Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Miriam Mugisha Kagiga has cautioned students on holiday and members of the public against engaging in coffee theft. She warned that anyone found stealing coffee, including those transporting it in bags or jerrycans, will be arrested and prosecuted.
Kagiga further called upon Local Council One chairpersons and coffee factory owners to strengthen security measures during the harvest season to protect farmers’ produce and support the district’s efforts to maintain high coffee standards.
