The Ugandan government has asked coffee farmers to remain calm and strong despite the recent drop in coffee prices.
The government is working hard to find new international markets and to support farmers during this difficult time.
Dr. Hilary Emmanuel Musoke, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness and Value Addition, emphasized that the price fall is not the farmers’ fault.
He encouraged farmers to focus on improving the quality of their coffee and to join cooperative groups for better support and bargaining power.
“The government is actively searching for new buyers of Ugandan coffee, especially in countries like China and others in Asia,” Dr. Musoke said.
“Our recent coffee promotion campaigns have shown that Ugandan coffee is in demand and gaining popularity.”
Many farmers have complained about the sharp drop in coffee prices, which has hurt their income and ability to repay loans.
One farmer noted that prices had dropped from UGX 18,000 to UGX 8,000 in just three weeks, putting their livelihoods at risk.
Maj. Gen. David Kasura, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that Uganda does not control coffee prices, as they are determined by international markets.
The recent drop was caused by major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Venezuela re-entering the market after recovering from past production setbacks.
These countries had previously given Uganda a chance to dominate the market, but their return has increased supply and driven prices down.
To help protect farmers from such sudden price drops, Dr. Musoke said the government is working on creating a Coffee Price Stabilization Fund.
This fund would help cushion farmers during times of market fluctuation.
The government is also planning Farmer Support Packages, which would offer temporary subsidies, low-interest loans, or fertilizer assistance to small-scale farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture has called on farmers to stay hopeful, work together, and improve the quality of their beans while the government continues to secure more stable and profitable markets.
