By Dickson Kulumba
Buganda Kingdom premier Charles Peter Mayiga has urged coffee farmers countrywide to register their coffee gardens in response to new European Union (EU) regulations.
On December 5, 2022, the EU enacted the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which prohibits the import of crops harvested from land previously designated as forest.
To comply, coffee exports must be certified to ensure they were not grown on such lands.
“In light of this regulation, it is crucial to register all coffee farmers to verify that their coffee is not produced on deforested land,” Mayiga stated.
Mayiga emphasised that the regulation is vital for protecting Uganda’s coffee market in Europe, where 63% of the country’s coffee is consumed.
He warned that if Ugandan coffee is excluded from the EU market, prices. could plummet, adversely affecting farmers’ livelihoods.
“If our coffee is barred from entering the EU market, coffee prices will drop significantly, which could diminish the incentive to grow coffee and leave many people, especially those in rural areas, without income,” Mayiga said.
Addressing the media at Bulange-Mengo on Monday, Mayiga highlighted the importance of the upcoming registration process set to begin on Monday, under the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
In 2020, the Government introduced a controversial Coffee Bill that faced significant opposition, including from Mengo, due to its stringent provisions.
Despite initial resistance, the Bill was eventually passed with amendments.
Mayiga noted that the current registration effort aligns with the revised Bill’s provisions and is beneficial for farmers.
“This registration initiative is for the benefit of farmers.I encourage all coffee growers to register their gardens to ensure our coffee exports are certified as not coming from deforested lands,” he said.
Mayiga added that successful implementation of the registration process will help maintain access to EU markets, potentially leading to better prices and improved living standards for farmers.
On September 6, Mayiga met with a UCDA delegation led by board member Fred Mukasa Luzinda, who provided updates on compliance with the EUDR.
Dr Gerald Kyalo, UCDA’s director of development services, explained that the regulation applies to various products, including coffee, ensuring they are not linked to deforestation.
“Uganda’s coffee exports to the EU have averaged 63% over the past decade, making this legislation highly impactful for our trade,” Kyalo said.
UCDA’s July coffee report revealed that Uganda exported 821,593 60kg bags of coffee, valued at $210.48m (about sh781b), at an average price of $4.27 per kilogramme.
This represents a 26.15% and a 98.68% increase in value compared to July 2023.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Mayiga (left) touring the coffee garden of Winfred Namyalo (in gomesi) in Budde sub[1]county in Butambala on April 23. Photo by Dickson Kulumba
