Lira: Coffee seedlings reserved for serious farmers to prevent wastage
The announcement was made during the recent delivery of Clonal Robusta coffee seedlings at the Production and Marketing Department of Lira District Local Government.
LIRA, August 14, 2025 – Officials in Lira district have announced that government-supplied coffee seedlings will be distributed only to farmers who are fully prepared to plant, in a move aimed at avoiding waste and ensuring proper utilisation of resources.
The announcement was made during the recent delivery of Clonal Robusta coffee seedlings at the Production and Marketing Department of Lira District Local Government.
Dorcus Alum, the Lira District Agricultural Officer, stated that a verification exercise would be carried out to identify farmers who are adequately prepared to plant the seedlings. She called on agricultural extension workers to take the lead in this process.
“Let us prioritise proper field management,” said Alum. “I urge technical officers to visit farms and ensure that planting holes are dug and ready before any seedlings are handed over.”
Lira District Resident Commissioner [RDC], Lillian Eyal, also stressed that seedlings should be given only to committed farmers. She criticised the habit of some farmers collecting seedlings and abandoning them behind their homes.
“Distribute the seedlings to those who are truly prepared,” Eyal said. “There are farmers who rush to collect seedlings with no intention of planting them. This practice must stop.”
Eyal further emphasised the importance of accountability and warned that officials would follow up to verify whether the beneficiaries had indeed planted the seedlings. “If your garden is not ready, please do not take the seedlings. We will be conducting field visits to verify and collect data on all recipients,” she added.
Thomas Okello, the District Production and Marketing Officer, encouraged technical officers to support farmers and act as role models to promote coffee farming across the district.
“We need to lead by example,” said Okello. “Let us guide farmers in preparing their fields, digging holes and applying manure – so that we are ready when the seedlings arrive. Coffee production must be taken seriously.”
Some farmers also echoed the officials’ concerns. Gracious Aguti, a farmer from Wiodyek Sub-county, pointed out that proper land preparation requires financial resources, which many farmers lack.
She supported the verification approach, noting that distributing seedlings to unprepared farmers often leads to unnecessary losses. “The risk is that farmers who are not ready will take the seedlings, leave them in their backyards, or plant them in poorly prepared pits. Within a week, the plants start drying out, and they end up blaming the government,” Aguti explained.
Both district officials and farmers agree that prioritising prepared and committed farmers will not only reduce wastage but also enhance the success of coffee farming initiatives in Lira.
Coffee farming is gaining traction in Lira district and the wider Lango Sub-region. While coffee is relatively new to the area, farmers are recognising its value in improving livelihoods due to high global demand. However, challenges like access to seedlings, lack of knowledge about coffee cultivation, and mindset remain.
https://thecooperator.news/gulu-city-farmers-receive-20000-coffee-seedlings-to-boost-production/
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