Government launches coffee value addition project to boost farmer incomes
The CoVAFE project is expected to strengthen coffee value chains in Kasese and surrounding areas through increased production, improved processing, market access and farmer empowerment, contributing to Uganda's broader goal of expanding agricultural exports and improving livelihoods.
The government has launched the Coffee Value Addition and Farmer Empowerment Project (CoVAFE) in Kasese District, a new initiative aimed at increasing coffee productivity, promoting value addition, and enhancing household incomes among coffee-growing communities.
Launching the project, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Maj. Gen. (Rtd) David Kasura-Kyomukama, described the initiative as a significant step towards achieving Uganda’s economic transformation agenda under the Agro-Industrialization, Tourism Development, Mineral-Based Industrialization and Science, Technology and Innovation (ATMS) strategy.
Kasura-Kyomukama said CoVAFE is one of several government interventions being implemented through collaboration among various ministries, departments and agencies to stimulate production, value addition and wealth creation.
“This is the kind of spirit that will help to deliver the tenfold growth that we are pursuing as a country under the ATMS strategy and other national development initiatives,” he said.
He noted that Kasese possesses favorable conditions for coffee production, including fertile volcanic soils and suitable altitudes ranging from 1,220 to 1,800 meters above sea level, making the district ideal for producing both high-quality Robusta and Arabica coffee.
“Kasese is blessed with rich volcanic soils and moderate altitudes. It can produce high-quality Robusta and Arabica coffee, which presents a great opportunity for farmers to increase production and improve their incomes,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary further revealed that agricultural extension officers have been adequately facilitated by MAAIF to provide farmers with technical guidance and advisory services aimed at improving productivity and quality.
He said government remains committed to strengthening extension services to ensure farmers adopt modern agricultural practices and fully benefit from initiatives such as CoVAFE.
During a visit to Bwera Sub-county, the officials interacted with farmer group leaders and community representatives, who expressed readiness to embrace the project and expand coffee production and processing activities.
Speaking at the launch, the Secretary in the Office of the President, Yunus Kakande, said the project will enable farmers to move beyond primary production and participate more actively in coffee value addition.
“Through such projects, we want to enable more farmers to add value to their coffee. Farmers are also going to reap highly from increased productivity of coffee,” Hajji Kakande said.
The launch attracted senior government officials, including Irene Bateebe from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and Doreen Katusiime from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Kasura-Kyomukama commended the collaborative efforts among government institutions, saying integrated approaches are essential for unlocking the full economic potential of agriculture and supporting rural communities.
The CoVAFE project is expected to strengthen coffee value chains in Kasese and surrounding areas through increased production, improved processing, market access and farmer empowerment, contributing to Uganda’s broader goal of expanding agricultural exports and improving livelihoods.
