SERERE, April 16, 2026 — Farmers in Serere district have received 50,000 Robusta coffee seedlings in a government-led initiative aimed at boosting household incomes and expanding coffee production in the Teso Sub-region.
The seedlings were handed over on Monday by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, who said the programme forms part of the government’s strategy to promote high-value perennial crops and improve rural livelihoods.
Adoa noted that she lobbied for the introduction of coffee in Teso after observing its strong income potential in other regions.
“I made this request because I saw the President emphasising coffee as a key crop. Many people have been saying Teso cannot do well in coffee, but we want to prove that it can,” she said.
She added that the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] has more than 1,000 acres of land in Serere, and urged the Ministry of Agriculture to establish large-scale coffee demonstration plots to support farmer learning.
Adoa called on farmers to take the initiative seriously, stressing that only those prepared to plant and manage the crop properly should receive the seedlings.
“These are not trees for shade. If you have not prepared your garden, hand the seedlings to someone who has,” she advised.
Agricultural experts from the Ministry guided farmers on proper planting and management practices, noting that coffee farming aligns with the government’s smart agriculture agenda by enabling farmers to earn more from small land holdings.
“You can earn good money from just one acre. Coffee is one of the crops that can transform household incomes,” Adoa said, urging local leaders to ensure proper follow-up to avoid losses.
Serere Resident District Commissioner Stephen Ekoom cautioned against misuse of the seedlings, warning that they should not be left on verandas or under trees.
“We do not want a situation where people keep seedlings under trees or on verandas. Technical teams in sub-counties must continue training farmers to ensure only those ready receive them,” he said.
Principal Agricultural Officer Caroline Asekenye Ikodet said that while citrus has traditionally been the main perennial crop in the area, coffee has shown strong potential in Teso.
She urged farmers to work closely with extension workers across sub-counties.
“Consult with extension staff on how to plant and manage coffee, because it is a relatively new enterprise in our region,” she said, warning that poor management would result in low or no returns despite the availability of markets.
According to the Ministry, Robusta coffee is well-suited to lowland areas such as Teso due to its adaptability to warm temperatures, moderate altitudes, and resilience to pests and diseases. It performs best at altitudes of 900–1,500 metres above sea level, temperatures of 20–30°C, and annual rainfall of 1,000–1,500mm, in deep, well-drained soils.
Beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely in the fight against poverty.
The Serere district Councillor, Hellen Angida, who received 100 seedlings, said she was ready to put the project into practice.
“I am very impressed. I will make sure I put this into action,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Amos Ochola a Subcounty Councillor, expressed gratitude to the Ministry, pledging to manage the seedlings well to improve his household income.
Farmers were advised to dig planting holes two feet deep and wide, maintain spacing of about three metres between plants, and mix topsoil with manure. They were also urged to remove polythene covers before planting and to plant at the onset of rains.
Intercropping with bananas and cassava was recommended to provide shade and improve soil conditions.
Robusta coffee [Coffea canephora] thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soils such as sandy loam or clay loam, with high organic matter content and a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 7.5, allowing for proper root development.
https://thecooperator.news/serere-women-reap-big-from-block-farming/
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