MAAIF, OWC partner to distribute over 500,000 coffee seedlings to Northern Uganda Diocese

OMORO, July 12, 2025 –– The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], in partnership with Operation Wealth Creation [OWC], has launched a major initiative to distribute over 500,000 coffee seedlings to farmers in the Diocese of Northern Uganda. The seedlings will be distributed across the Acholi Sub-region, covering the districts of Omoro, Amuru, Gulu, and Nwoya.

The official launch took place on Tuesday at Lalogi Primary School playgrounds in Omoro district, where 20,000 Robusta RK coffee seedlings were handed over to selected farmers registered under the Diocese of Northern Uganda Coffee Cooperative Society Limited.

Bishop Godfrey Loum of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, who is also the patron of the Coffee Cooperative Society Limited, expressed gratitude to the government for supporting the Diocese’s efforts to alleviate household poverty through coffee farming.

Bishop Loum encouraged beneficiaries to plant and properly maintain their coffee plantations. He also called on OWC and MAAIF to support the Diocese by building the capacity of its agricultural extension workers to ensure effective guidance for the farmers.

Brigadier General John Charles Anywar, Director of Coffee, Cocoa and Tea at OWC noted they aim to establish Northern Uganda as one of the country’s leading coffee-producing regions.

“Coffee has the potential to provide sustainable income to households in this sub-region for more than 40 years,” Brig. Gen. Anywar said, urging farmers to diligently care for their coffee plantations.

He added that a single acre of coffee can yield approximately 3,000 kilogrammes of beans, potentially earning farmers up to Shs 18 million at the current market rate of Shs 6,000 per kilogramme.

Responding to Bishop Loum’s call for support, Brig. Gen. Anywar emphasised the need for close coordination between OWC, MAAIF, and the Diocese to strengthen the skills and effectiveness of extension workers, which is essential for improving the quality and quantity of harvests.

Uganda currently earns over USD 2 billion annually from the export of approximately 9 million bags of coffee, making the crop a key driver of the country’s economy.

https://thecooperator.news/diocese-of-northern-uganda-forms-coffee-farmers-cooperative-society/

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