UCDA tasked to address delays in coffee farmer registration in Southwestern Uganda

MBARARA CITY, November 11, 2024 – Officials and farmers in Southwestern Uganda have expressed concerns over the delayed registration of coffee farmers by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority [ UCDA ], which is crucial for compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation [EUDR] covering coffee, cocoa, palm oil, rubber, cattle, and wood.

This issue arises just days after Parliament passed a Bill amending the National Coffee Act [No. 17 of 2021], which integrates the functions of the UCDA into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries [MAAIF] to enhance service delivery and streamline operations.

During a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Mbarara, Francis Kibuuka Amooti, the Resident District Commissioner [RDC] for Mitooma, expressed frustration over the delay in registering coffee farmers in the region, especially given that the registration process was slated to conclude by December 2024.

“We were informed that the registration process was supposed to end in December 2024, but it is only now that you are beginning to mobilise and sensitise farmers,” Kibuuka said. He emphasised the importance of this registration exercise, not only for meeting European Union requirements regarding deforestation but also for assisting the government in planning for coffee farmers.

“Better late than never. Let all coffee farmers register, as this will help the government plan effectively and support the campaign to boost coffee production in the country,” he added.

Under the EUDR, traders and operators placing commodities such as coffee, cocoa, and palm oil on the EU market must demonstrate that these products do not originate from land that has been recently deforested or contribute to forest degradation. The original deadline for compliance was December 30, 2024, but this has been extended for an additional year following concerns from various stakeholders worldwide.

The new EUDR rules aim to reduce global deforestation and forest degradation linked to agricultural production, and cutting carbon emissions by at least 32 million metric tonnes annually. The EU is collaborating with partner countries and companies to ensure a smooth transition to deforestation-free supply chains.

Commitment to ensuring compliance

Maj. Peter Kyoshabire, the Operation Wealth Creation Coordinator for Mbarara City, assured those who attended the meeting that efforts would be made to ensure all coffee farmers in the city are registered as required by the EUDR. “We are ready, and we will ensure the traceability of coffee supplied to the market,” Kyoshabire stated.

Emilly Asiimwe, the District Agricultural Officer, called on the government to explore additional coffee markets beyond the European Union, which could help diversify Uganda’s coffee exports.

Nicholas Atugonza, Regional Manager for PULA Uganda [which registers coffee farmers on behalf of UCDA, noted that sensitisation efforts are crucial in encouraging farmers to participate, as some remain skeptical about the registration process. “Let’s embrace this mass registration, because after this, farmers will have to pay a fee for registration,” Atugonza said, adding that the registration and data updating will continue beyond the initial exercise.

Challenges and delays

Israel Ssebugenyi, Technology Development Manager at UCDA, explained that delays in farmer registration were due to late release of government funds. “We are not doing this late because we wanted to, but because we couldn’t begin campaigns without the necessary funds,” said Ssebugenyi.

He pointed out that districts like Kiruhura, Mbarara, and Isingiro have yet to receive UCDA coordinators and enumerators to carry out data collection, further hindering the timely completion of the registration process.

RDC Kibuuka voiced concern that without the extended deadline, many farmers in the region would not have been able to meet the original December 2024 cutoff for EUDR compliance. However, he reassured that Uganda’s coffee has alternative markets such as China, Algeria, and Sudan, though he acknowledged that the EU remains the most lucrative market, buying about 65 percent of Uganda’s coffee.

“The European Union consists of 27 countries, and Uganda exports coffee to 23 of these nations. This is a significant market that should not be overlooked,” Kibuuka said.

Call for accurate communication and collaboration

Akim Twinamatsiko, Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Mbarara City South, urged stakeholders to ensure accurate communication with farmers regarding the registration process to avoid confusion.

“Farmers may fear that the equipment being used for mapping coffee farms resembles land survey tools, leading them to believe that the registration is a cover for land or coffee theft,” Twinamatsiko warned. He also emphasiSed the need for UCDA to involve local LC I chairpersons in the registration process to facilitate easier mobiliSation, verification, and data validation.

“Do not underestimate the role of LC I leaders. They are familiar with their communities and the farmers,” Twinamatsiko added.

https://thecooperator.news/eu-council-agrees-to-delay-eudr-implementation-by-one-year/

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