By Jovita Mirembe
Robina Mwayi, a coffee farmer and a resident of Bweyeyo Village in Luweero District, says coffee is not just a crop but a lifeline that transformed her family’s destiny.
She says that after her husband, Edward Mwayi passed on in 2000, Mwayi found herself in a difficult position raising six children on her own.
‘‘Although I had never grown coffee before, I decided to engage in coffee growing as a means of survival through the encouragement of my neighbours who were growing it. However over the last 24 years, I have engaged in coffee farming, this decision has paid off,’’ Mwayi said.
She said that coffee farming has allowed her to provide for her family, including sending her children to school, with some graduating from university.
Mwayi says that one of her greatest lessons in coffee farming has been the importance of maintaining clean and high-quality beans.
‘‘By drying her coffee on tarpaulins, known locally as tundubari, she ensures that it never drops on the ground, which has earned her the trust of coffee traders. Her care for her coffee has translated into better prices and greater demand for her product. My success is not just about attention to detail in harvesting but has taught me the value of enriching the soil,’’ Mwayi says.
She says that using manure from the pigs she keeps in her backyard, has improved soil fertility and boosted her yields.
Mwayi says that this sustainable approach has helped her build a better home for her family, far superior to the one she had before her husband passed on.
Coffee has been her lifeline, transforming her family’s fortunes.
Harvesting: the heart of successful coffee farming
Mwayi understands that successful coffee farming goes beyond planting because the harvesting process is critical to ensuring high-quality beans.
She ensures her coffee cherries are picked at the peak of ripeness and carefully processed to maintain their quality.
Mwayi says that post-harvest handling is very important as well as drying her coffee on clean tarpaulins to avoid contamination,
These practices, combined with proper pruning, shade management, and soil enrichment, Mwayi ensures that her coffee garden continues to produce high yields and superior beans.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Robina Mwayi drying her coffee on clean tarpaulin.
