LIRA CITY, October 1, 2025 — The Coffee Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] plans to collaborate with clan leaders under the Lango Cultural Institution [LCI] to promote large-scale coffee farming in the Lango Sub-region.
This initiative was revealed during a recent council meeting of Lango clan leaders held in Lira City East Division, where officials from the Coffee Department were invited to discuss the benefits of coffee farming for both individual farmers, and the country at large.
Julius Twine, Senior Agricultural Officer in the Coffee Department at MAAIF, emphasised that coffee is one of Uganda’s leading export commodities and a key source of foreign exchange. He also highlighted its role in improving household incomes.
“Coffee is currently one of Uganda’s top export earners. We are prioritising its cultivation because we know it can transform lives. In Acholi, we say coffee is the last bullet in the fight against poverty. From my experience in other regions, even households with just one acre of coffee experience a noticeable improvement in their standard of living,” Twine said.
He noted that the cultural institution structure would be instrumental in mobilising communities across Lango, where people deeply respect their traditional leaders.
“About 2.3 million households in Uganda are already engaged in coffee farming. Lango must not be left behind. That is why we are positioning cultural institutions as key players in promoting coffee production in Northern Uganda,” Twine added.
He further outlined several strategies MAAIF will implement to ensure the success of this programme in the region, including: Extensive community sensitisation, especially since coffee is a relatively new crop in the area; educating farmers on proper agronomic practices for establishing and managing coffee farms; establishing local coffee nurseries to reduce reliance on seedling imports from other districts; and procuring shade trees to help mitigate climate-related risks
Michael Abeja, Minister of Agriculture at the LCI, expressed optimism about the initiative. He said many community members are already showing interest, and clan leaders are actively mobilising farmers.
“I have already begun travelling across the districts to meet with clan leaders. I was recently in Kole District, and I found the leaders well-organised and enthusiastic. I’m pleased to report that people are ready to embrace this project. Clan leaders in Kole will be returning the registration forms by 26th October,” Abeja said.
Meanwhile, Willing Omodo, Speaker of the LCI, assured coffee officials that the institution will work closely with district coordinators to facilitate farmer registration.
“We have coordinators at the district level who will compile lists of interested farmers so they can benefit from the distribution of coffee seedlings,” Omodo confirmed.
https://thecooperator.news/christians-in-bunyoro-kitara-diocese-urged-to-embrace-coffee-farming/
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