Alebtong RDC urges farmers to embrace coffee growing
Coffee cultivation is steadily gaining momentum in the Lango Sub-region, with the now-defunct Uganda Coffee Development Authority having previously promoted its growth as a viable tool for poverty alleviation
ALEBTONG, 22 July 2025 — The Resident District Commissioner [RDC] of Alebtong, Geoffrey Okiswa, has called on local farmers to embrace coffee cultivation, describing it as a key government initiative aimed at economically transforming communities.
While receiving a consignment of 100,000 coffee seedlings, delivered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] through Operation Wealth Creation [OWC], at the district headquarters recently, Okiswa noted that coffee grows well in the Lango Sub-region, just as it does in other parts of the country.
He attributed persistent poverty in parts of Lango to the reluctance of some farmers to invest in perennial crops such as coffee and cocoa, instead favouring seasonal crops like beans, simsim, maize, soya bean, millet, sorghum, and peas.
“Our people must wake up and embark on a new journey by growing perennial crops,” he said. “For decades, we have focused on seasonal crops, but this has not brought about meaningful economic change.”
At least 11 sub-counties will benefit from the consignment of seedlings. These include Omoro, Adwir, Angetta, Amugu, Amugu Town Council, Abako, Awei, Akura, Apala, Abia, Aloi, Alebtong Town Council and Aloi Town Council.
Okiswa further encouraged residents to continue embracing other government poverty-alleviation programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.
Joy Auma, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer at the handover event, said the consignment would significantly boost coffee farming in the district.
She expressed her appreciation to the government for the support, noting that for many years people believed coffee could not be grown in Northern Uganda.
“I planted coffee some years ago and I now harvest it annually,” she said.
Auma also urged agricultural extension workers in the district to guide the selected farmers so they can begin reaping the benefits within two to three years, ultimately contributing to poverty eradication.
Coffee cultivation is steadily gaining momentum in the Lango Sub-region, with the now-defunct Uganda Coffee Development Authority having previously promoted its growth as a viable tool for poverty alleviation. While cotton has long been the region’s traditional cash crop, there is growing momentum behind the shift to coffee, seen by many as having greater potential to uplift household incomes.
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