Hoima farmers seek gov’t help in fight against coffee wilt disease, others

HOIMA, October 7, 2024 — Coffee farmers in Hoima district are calling for government assistance following an outbreak of coffee disease that could force some farmers in the district to abandon growing the perennial crop that is being promoted by government across the country.

According to Yoramu Kato, a coffee farmer from Marongo Village in Bombo Sub-county, Kigorobya County, the coffee wilt disease is causing premature drying and ripening of the green beans, causing the farmers to incur losses.

With one acre of coffee plantation, Kato says he has already lost a quarter of his crop to the disease that attacks during the dry season.

He added; “Coffee is our source of income, but the coffee wilt disease is severely affecting us. We have tried various methods to combat it but to no avail.”

He said that farmers have not received assistance from relevant government offices in Hoima district.

In addition to the wilt disease, Kato highlighted theft as another major issue, with thieves stealing berries during the night. He explained  that due to these challenges, he harvested only 10 bags last season, down from the 15 bags he usually harvests, resulting in huge losses.

Patrick Insingoma, Secretary of Kigorobya Coffee Growers’ Cooperative Society Limited, confirmed that coffee wilt poses a serious threat to profitability for farmers. He noted that out of the 310 members in the cooperative, 80 percent have reported the disease affecting their coffee beans.

He also mentioned the black coffee twig borer [BCTB], which has further devastated coffee plantations in Hoima district, causing branches and berries to dry up. He explained that the BCTB continues to ravage crops due to the high cost of pesticides and the presence of counterfeit products on the market.

Julius Kyomanya, a farmer from Kyabigambire Sub-county, also echoed concerns about the coffee wilt disease, stating it is forcing many farmers to abandon coffee cultivation. He also highlighted the difficulty in accessing extension services.

Interviewed for this story, Rosemary Mukonyezi, Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) Hoima Sub-regional Extension Officer, said that there is no treatment for coffee wilt disease. She instead advised farmers to uproot and burn affected plants to prevent the disease from spreading. “Even if a farmer has 10 acres of coffee, the disease will destroy it. The only solution is to uproot and burn the affected plants,” she explained.

However, Mukonyezi noted that farmers can manage the BCTB by maintaining their gardens, regularly pruning, and burning infested twigs. She encouraged the use of pesticides recommended by extension workers.

On his part, David Karubanga, the Kigorobya Sub-county Member of Parliament, urged farmers to join cooperatives, emphasising that they have a stronger collective voice than individual farmers in terms of lobbying.

Charles Kajura, Hoima District Senior Production Officer, acknowledged the challenges in assisting farmers, noting that the district has only 12 veterinary extension workers and 10 crop extension workers—an insufficient number to effectively reach all farmers in the area.

https://thecooperator.news/hoima-cooperative-seeks-value-addition-machinery/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news