With coffee prices rising, farmers in Kassanda district have embraced commercial coffee and cassava farming for better earnings.
For years, agriculture has been the district’s mainstay, with many cultivating maize and matooke, while only a few grow coffee.
“We must focus on the most profitable crops,” Haji Siraje Ssendawula, the National Resistance Movement district chairperson, said adding that while coffee prices are high, they could fluctuate.
Speaking at Tropical Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) annual meeting at Kyato Hotel, Ssendawula, who is also the SACCO board chairperson, said they initiated a project to support coffee farmers.
“We trained farmers, distributed seedlings and monitored progress. I was thrilled when one farmer testified to earning over sh60m in a season,” he said.
Ssendawula said cassava is also in high demand due to Kassanda’s growing population. MP Patrick Nsamba lauded coffee farmers and donated 8,000 seedlings.
The SACCO manager, Swalleh Ssendawula, acknowledged the economic struggles caused by COVID-19 and Ebola lockdowns, but pledged continued support.
