MAAIF trains 1,000 Kitgum farmers in climate-smart coffee farming amid prolonged dry spells
KITGUM, May 5, 2026 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] has trained 1,000 farmers in Kitgum district in climate-smart coffee farming techniques aimed at enabling the crop to survive prolonged dry conditions.
Northern Uganda typically experiences a dry season lasting up to five months, posing a major challenge to crop cultivation in the region.
The training, led by MAAIF’s Department of Coffee for Mid-Northern Uganda, initially equipped agricultural extension workers as trainers of trainers. These have since passed on the knowledge to farmers at village level.
Julius Twiine, MAAIF’s Coffee Department Officer for Mid-Northern Uganda, said coffee remains a relatively new crop in Kitgum, but farmers are being introduced to essential agronomic practices to improve survival rates during drought.
Kitgum District Agricultural Officer Uthan Okot said the 1,000 farmers were trained in three phases in collaboration with various partners.
“These farmers were trained in three different phases,” Okot said. “We worked with MAAIF and other partners to ensure every sub-county was reached.”
The district now aims to train 8,000 coffee farmers by the end of the year, using a phased approach to gradually build capacity ahead of large-scale seedling distribution.
Kitgum, like much of the Acholi sub-region, experiences an extended dry spell from late November to mid-March — the greatest threat to coffee survival. To address this, MAAIF is promoting what Twiine described as “unconventional methods” not commonly used in traditional coffee-growing areas.
“Coffee requires a pit measuring two feet deep and two feet wide,” Twiine explained. “We train farmers to prepare the correct planting hole and adopt intercropping techniques for shade and moisture retention.”
One such method involves planting coffee at the centre of the pit, with a banana or plantain on the western side to provide shade and conserve soil moisture.
“Banana leaves help capture water and enrich the soil,” Twiine said. “By their nature, they provide shade during the dry season.”
Farmers are also encouraged to plant three pigeon pea (locally known as lapena) plants about one metre from the coffee stem, and to intercrop cassava between coffee rows to enhance shading and household food security.
The approach forms part of MAAIF’s broader climate-smart agriculture strategy, designed to help crops withstand erratic weather while supporting livelihoods.
So far, 1,000 farmers across Kitgum have completed the training. The district was prioritised due to the availability of land and growing farmer interest, despite having no prior history of commercial coffee production.
“We have carried out extensive farmer training and sensitisation, as well as stakeholder engagement,” Twiine said.
MAAIF is working with the Diocese of Kitgum, Roco Paco, Ker Kwaro Acholi cultural institution, Kitgum District Local Government, and Operation Wealth Creation to mobilise farmers.
“All these efforts are aimed at harnessing synergies in mobilisation to ensure farmers come together and receive the message on coffee production,” Twiine added.
Coffee remains Uganda’s leading export, earning more than $1 billion annually. However, about 90 per cent of production is concentrated in the Central, Eastern and Western regions. MAAIF’s Northern Uganda strategy seeks to expand cultivation into new areas to meet rising global demand and boost incomes in post-conflict communities.
“Farmers here need cash crops that can withstand drought,” said Benson Olweny, a farmer from Mucwini West Sub-county. “With banana and cassava, the coffee survives. When farmers see that, they gain confidence.”
Jane Alobo, from Labongo Amida West Sub-county, said she has already prepared 100 planting pits.
“We were told coffee can pay school fees, but first it must survive the dry season,” she said. “Now I know how.”
Agronomists caution that widespread adoption will depend on seedling survival rates in the first year. Coffee typically takes three years to mature, and the region’s sandy soils and termite prevalence present additional risks.
However, MAAIF maintains that the intercropping model addresses these challenges.
“The bananas shift as they grow, so the shade moves with time,” Twiine said. “Pigeon peas fix nitrogen, while cassava provides food for the household. It is not just about coffee , it is a complete farming system.”
Coffee farming is steadily expanding across the Lango Sub-region in Northern Uganda as part of a broader economic transformation strategy. The shift from traditional cotton farming to high-value, drought-tolerant Robusta coffee is expected to enhance household incomes and resilience.
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