MUKONO, September 1, 2025 – The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, has commended researchers at the National Coffee Research Institute [NaCORI] for their groundbreaking innovations in coffee and cocoa research. These efforts, he said, have significantly contributed to the increased production and export of both crops, earning Uganda the much-needed foreign exchange.
Speaking as guest of honour during the recent celebrations marking NaCORI’s 10th anniversary at Kituza in Mukono, held under the theme “10 Years of Technologies and Innovations for Enhanced Coffee, Cocoa Export and Industry Development”, the Minister lauded the institute’s transformative journey since its establishment in 2014.
He noted that the government has, over the years, implemented strategic interventions to boost coffee production, in line with its broader vision of transforming the agricultural sector and driving national economic growth.
The Minister recognised NaCORI’s critical role in increasing coffee production, from approximately three million 60-kilogramme bags to the current 5.7 million bags, through research-led initiatives.
He highlighted several key areas of impact, including the development and promotion of high-yielding, disease-resistant coffee varieties, the expansion of coffee cultivation into non-traditional growing areas, and the provision of training and resources to farmers aimed at improving agronomic practices.
“Value-added coffee and cocoa products developed by NaCORI, ranging from dietary items such as coffee powder and chocolate to non-dietary products like facial scrubs and body lotions—are paving the way for a more diversified and resilient agricultural economy,” the Minister said.
He added: “The commercialisation of these innovations will not only create employment opportunities for our youth, but also enhance household incomes, making the coffee and cocoa value chains more profitable and sustainable.”
Kyakulaga further urged NaCORI to intensify its research on value addition in coffee and cocoa—two of Uganda’s most valuable cash crops, and to develop innovations that promote increased domestic coffee consumption. He also encouraged communities in coffee-growing regions to take full advantage of opportunities along the entire coffee and cocoa value chains, and to explore avenues in domestic tourism.
Dr. Swadik Kassim, the Deputy Director General for Technology Promotion at the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] under which NaCORI operates, called on NaCORI researchers to prioritise the development of smart, community-oriented technologies.
Looking ahead to the next decade, Kassim revealed that NaCORI will focus on implementing the revised National Coffee and Cocoa Research and Development Agenda, which outlines a clear research path aligned with Uganda’s national socio-economic frameworks. This direction, he noted, will reposition NaCORI as a regional centre of excellence in coffee and cocoa research.
He also identified other priority areas, including enhanced communication and outreach initiatives to strengthen community engagement, the continuous review of coffee research strategies, and aligning the national research agenda with socio-economic goals. These efforts, he said, will cement NaCORI’s role as a continental leader in Robusta coffee research.
https://thecooperator.news/ugandas-july-coffee-exports-earn-shs-898-80-billion/
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