Masindi farmers equipped with skills in coffee and cocoa value chains

MASINDI, July 3, 2025 –– Over 100 farmers in Masindi district have been equipped with essential knowledge and skills in the coffee and cocoa value chains, aimed at helping them reap greater benefits from their farming efforts.

The training session, held on Saturday in Kyabikule village, Bwijanga Sub-county, was organised by Jowante Plants and Nurseries [JPN], in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] and the Masindi District Local Government.

Farmers received training in various areas including agricultural extension services, disease and pest control, and post-harvest handling. The programme also covered nursery bed establishment, climate change mitigation strategies, and income-generating activities using the Four-Acre Promotional Model.

Francis Rwothomio, the MAAIF Greater Masindi Coffee Extension Officer, noted that many farmers fail to benefit fully from their agricultural activities due to a lack of proper knowledge and skills in managing their crops and produce.

“This is the time for farmers to acquire the necessary knowledge if they are to truly benefit from their work. I urge you to adopt improved seed varieties for higher yields. Many farmers still rely on traditional methods and do not practise proper agronomic techniques, which results in losses. It’s high time we embraced modern farming methods,” Rwothomio advised.

Sabit Mbabazi, a prominent coffee farmer from Kimanya village in Budongo Sub-county, expressed appreciation for the training, stating that it had been a valuable learning opportunity.

“I’ve been growing coffee, but I lacked the knowledge to improve my yields. This training has been a great opportunity for me to learn and improve. I’m especially grateful to the organisers for helping us understand different fruit tree varieties, some of which were previously unknown in this region,” he said.

Job Byaruhanga, the Masindi District Agriculture Officer, commended the farmers for embracing high-value crops and for actively seeking knowledge.

“What is being done here is ideally the role of government, but at times we are constrained by limited resources. I appreciate the efforts of the proprietor for complementing government efforts by establishing this training centre, which is making agricultural knowledge more accessible,” Byaruhanga said.

The training attracted a diverse audience, including civil servants, agricultural processors, and coffee buyers.

About Jowante Plants and Nurseries

Founded in 2016, Jowante Plants and Nurseries propagates a wide variety of plants using established methods such as seed propagation, cloning, layering, grafting, and budding. According to its Director, Geoffrey Kagoro, the nursery maintains a well-tended demonstration orchard featuring over 70 varieties of both local and imported fruit trees.

“We take pride in our diverse collection, which includes herbal plants, indigenous trees, and ornamental flowers, all available for both retail and wholesale. We also grow macadamia, coffee, bananas, pineapples, cashew nuts, and tree gardens, among others,” Kagoro said.

Other crops propagated at the nursery include apples, mangoes, Hass avocado, fig trees, American and variegated lemons, strawberries, coconuts, olives, guavas, pomegranates, passion fruits, oranges, cocoa, and Bahamas grapes.

During the field tour of the demonstration facility, many farmers expressed surprise and admiration upon seeing plant varieties they never imagined existed in the Masindi region.

Kagoro emphasised that the aim of the training was to empower farmers with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in agriculture and to promote farming as a viable business. He added that future training sessions will extend beyond coffee and cocoa to include a wider range of crops.

https://thecooperator.news/how-coffee-and-cocoa-growing-is-taking-shape-in-adjumani-district/

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