Lango: Fewer youth embrace coffee farming compared to the elderly

LIRA CITY, September 25, 2025 — Only a handful of youth in the Lango Subregion are engaging in coffee farming compared to older generations, despite government efforts to supply free coffee seedlings to interested farmers.

The low participation of youth has been attributed to a lack of access to information on coffee cultivation and an unwillingness to invest in long-term projects. Many young people reportedly prefer ventures that generate quick returns.

Recently, the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], distributed a total of 269,000 clonal Robusta coffee seedlings to farmers across the Lango Subregion.

Lango Subregion comprises Lira City, Lira, Kole, Kwania, Oyam, Apac, Otuke, Alebtong, Dokolo, and Amolatar districts.

Andrew Okello Awany, the Regional Agricultural Officer for Lira City and the districts of Lira, Otuke, and Alebtong, acknowledged that youth participation in coffee farming remains low.

“The youth are sluggish to embrace coffee farming. Not many are involved in the sector because they lack access to information and prefer projects with quick returns. They are hesitant to invest in long-term ventures,” Okello said.

He added that, unlike many youth who lack financial resources, older individuals often have the capital to invest in farming.

“The elderly are more involved in coffee growing because they are patient and financially stable. They don’t panic easily and are willing to wait for returns. The youth, on the other hand, still want to try out other things,” he added.

To encourage youth involvement in coffee production, Okello said two youth groups in the subregion had recently been trained in value addition skills, helping them diversify income beyond cultivation alone.

“We’ve provided training to youth groups such as the Lira Youth Coffee Entrepreneur Cooperative Society and Lango Traders Cooperative Society Limited on value addition. That’s why they are now active in the market,” he noted.

When contacted, David Opio, Chairperson of the Lira Youth Coffee Entrepreneur Cooperative Society Limited, confirmed that many youth in Lira district lack interest or knowledge in coffee farming.

“When you talk about coffee, most youth don’t even want to hear about it. Some have never learnt about it, and when you suggest they grow it, they say it takes too long. That’s why they opt for soybeans, which is unfortunate, because youth should be working to earn a living,” Opio said.

He criticised some youth for being unwilling to put in the necessary effort, citing a case where coffee berries were left to rot in a garden.

“We once went to buy coffee beans from someone, only to find the youth had abandoned their berries to rot instead of harvesting them,” he said.

Opio also pointed to challenges with agricultural extension services in the region.

“One other issue is that extension workers in some sub-counties are not proactive. They often say they haven’t been officially called upon to provide advisory services to farmers,” he said.

He stressed the need to involve more youth in coffee production and value addition, viewing it as a pathway to wealth creation.

“We are doing everything we can to bring more youth into coffee farming and value addition—from crop to cup. The value chain can create employment. We need to eliminate the culture of idleness and theft among some youth,” he said.

Godfrey Awio, a coffee farmer since 2019 from Abedping Cell, Adekokwok Ward in Lira City East Division, observed that most youth are only interested in ventures with quick returns.

“From what I see, most youth don’t like coffee farming. They want projects that give them quick food or money. In fact, older people are doing well with coffee and making good money. We need to shift from outdated crops like cotton that no longer serve us,” Awio remarked.

He added that coffee, if properly managed, can be a reliable route out of poverty.

“If you manage your coffee plantation well, you can harvest twice a year. It’s very rewarding, it brings in good money,” he said.

Calvin Opolot, the National Resistance Movement [NRM] Youth Chairperson for Amolatar District, said most youth in the area are engaged in fishing as their primary economic activity.

“Our youth aren’t idle. Amolatar is surrounded by two major lakes, so fishing is the dominant source of income,” he said.

Meanwhile, Charles Opio, the Otuke District Commercial Officer, said few youth showed interest when coffee seedlings were recently distributed to the locals.

“When the seedlings were delivered, I didn’t see youth coming to collect them—only older men and women did. Youth here tend to prefer projects like goat rearing, which they believe offer faster returns,” he said.

https://thecooperator.news/christians-in-bunyoro-kitara-diocese-urged-to-embrace-coffee-farming/

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