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Masaka Cooperatives Promote Agroforestry as Climate Change Takes Toll on Coffee Framers

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This initiative is led by the Buddu Rural Coffee Growers, Traders, and Processors’ Association, which comprises various stakeholders in the local coffee production and supply chain.
10 Oct 2024 07:47
Members of the Biodiversity Conservation Foundation who delivered some indigenous tree seedlings. Cooperative actors in Masaka are promoting agroforestry among Coffee Farmers

Audio 3

Cooperative actors in the coffee production chain in the Masaka subregion are launching a campaign to encourage farmers to adopt agroforestry practices as a strategic response to mitigate the effects of climate change on productivity. 

This initiative is led by the Buddu Rural Coffee Growers, Traders, and Processors’ Association, which comprises various stakeholders in the local coffee production and supply chain. Proscovia Namwanje, the Association’s General Secretary and a farmers’ coordinator for Rakai district explains that they are realigning their members to tackle the adverse effects of climate change, which are increasingly affecting their farms. 

She emphasizes the importance of coffee agroforestry, highlighting that integrating trees into coffee plantations helps trap greenhouse gases and prevents the extreme temperatures that can harm plant health. To promote this initiative, the association has mandated coffee nursery operators to include at least five seedlings of traditional tree varieties for every 200 coffee seedlings sold.

Namwanje notes that, despite the recent European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which bans the export of products linked to environmental destruction, their members have already faced significant losses due to prolonged drought conditions affecting the flowering capacity and growth of coffee plants. The campaign focuses on areas particularly vulnerable to drought, using these locations as demonstration centers to showcase effective agroforestry practices.  

Lug Audio

//Cue in: “Abalimi baffe abasing…..  

Cue out: ….muti gumumala.”//

David Lukwata, Chairperson of Central Services Limited and Marketing Officer of the association, mentions that considerable effort is being directed toward enhancing members' production capacities.

In addition to promoting agroforestry, Lukwata highlights the importance of educating farmers on various best practices, including the proper use of pesticides and herbicides, fertilizer application, and environmental conservation methods.

He expresses optimism that the campaign will raise awareness about climate change's real impacts, encouraging farmers to take responsibility for mitigating these effects to ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods.  

Lug Audio

//Cue in: “kituufu climate change…..  

Cue out: …..ettaka lisigala awo.”//

Lukwata further encourages farmers to integrate beekeeping into their coffee plantations, noting its dual benefit as a viable farming venture and as a means to enhance pollination in gardens, which can significantly boost productivity.  

Lug Audio

//Cue in: “omulimi we mmwanyi….. 

Cue out: ….naddayo nakikola.”//

John Bosco Kakande, a coffee farmer from Kyannamukaka Sub-county in Masaka district, believes that the cooperatives' intervention will help fill the knowledge gap created by the lack of government agricultural extension workers, providing essential support to farmers in the region.