Kampala Uganda – The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has emphasized the importance of registering the country’s coffee farmers to maintain access to the European Union (EU) market.
The Minister’s call comes after the EU Parliament approved the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Act on 5th December 2022, with an aim of ensuring that supply chains remain free from products contributing to deforestation and forest degradation.
Products such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, soya, wood, and rubber were listed and would be prohibited from entering the EU market if they are produced on land cleared of forest for agricultural purposes after 30th December 2020.
Speaking earlier today at the launch of the Nationwide coffee value chain actors’ registration at Uganda Media Centre, Tumwebaze emphasized that, with over 60% of Uganda’s coffee exports going to the European Union, compliance with their regulations is very crucial to all the coffee farmers.
“The registration process is essential for ensuring continued access to international markets and effective mapping of coffee farms,” Tumwebaze said “It also promotes enhanced sustainability by encouraging environmentally friendly coffee production practices.”
According to Tumwebaze, the EU’s Deforestation Regulation set to take effect on December 30, 2024, requires Uganda to prove its coffee is produced sustainably.
To achieve this, he outlined that the government has allocated resources to register all coffee farmers and implement a National Traceability System.
“The EU market is vital to our coffee industry, and we must ensure compliance with their regulations,” Tumwebaze stressed. “Registration will enable us to trace our coffee from farm to market, guaranteeing its quality and sustainability.”
The registration process will capture geolocation data for all production plots where coffee or related products are cultivated. A team of enumerators will carry out the registration process on behalf of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and industry players.
Tumwebaze appealed to all leaders, coffee value chain actors, and district local government leaders to support this registration exercise. “This is a win for all,” he emphasized. “Registration will not only ensure market access but also improve farmers’ livelihoods through better production practices and increased transparency.”
“The registration process is free of charge, courtesy of the government and our development partners,” Tumwebaze noted. “We urge all coffee farmers to take advantage of this opportunity and register.” He also thanked development partners, including aBi Development and UNDP, for their funding support.
In addition to maintaining EU market access, the registration process aims to promote Uganda’s coffee to emerging markets, including China, the Middle East, and Maghreb. “We are committed to exploring new markets for our coffee,” Tumwebaze said. “Registration is a critical step in this process.”
The Minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of sustainable production practices. “As we move forward, all agricultural expansion must adopt environmentally friendly methods,” he said. “This will ensure our coffee industry remains vibrant and beneficial to all stakeholders.”
Uganda is the 7th largest coffee producer globally and 2nd largest in Africa, with approximately 1.8 million smallholder farmers cultivating coffee on 353,907 hectares of land. Coffee exports for the twelve months of the financial year 2023/24 totaled 6.13 million bags worth $1.14 billion.
