A UCDA official addressing stakeholders in the coffee value chain at a workshop in Kampala recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has upped its efforts in registering coffee farmers countrywide in order to comply with the European Union Regulation for Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).
In the campaign, which has been taken to Eastern Uganda, UCDA is working with various partners and stakeholders including International Trade Centre (ITC), aBi Development, Uganda Coffee Federation, Café Africa, and UNDP, as well as exporters, traders, farmers, and Government ministries and agencies
Its working tooth and nail to ensure industrywide EUDR compliance, in order to beat the December 2024 deadline.
The EUDR aims to ensure supply chains remain free from products that cause deforestation or forest degradation.
According to UCDA, the regulation will be implemented retrospectively and commodities like coffee, cocoa, cattle, palm oil, soy, timber and rubber as well as derived products (such as beef, furniture, or chocolate) that were planted on deforested land from 2021 will not have access to the EU market.
Dr. Gerald Kyalo, the UCDA Director for Development Services, said they are expediting the process, with an aim of covering the entire country, since “The regulation requires that exporters of commodities such as coffee, cocoa, and their derivatives submit specific documents to export to the EU market.”
He added that according to regulations, Coffee planted on deforested land after December 2020 will not access the EU market.
“The registration drive is aimed at ensuring that all coffee farmers in the country are registered and their produce tracked. It is part of efforts to boost the quality and competitiveness of Ugandan coffee on the international market,” said Kyalo.
While speaking at a sensitization workshop in the Busoga sub region, held at Kamuli Youth Centre, the Ssabalangira of Busoga Kingdom, Moses Woira Mitala Kitimbo, urged coffee farmers in Kamuli District to embrace the ongoing coffee registration exercise.
He emphasised the benefits of registration in improving the quality and traceability of their produce.
Kitimbo dispelled rumors that the coffee registration exercise is linked to profiling for taxation purposes.
“This is all designed to benefit you. Desist from harvesting unripe beans, which could compromise the quality of Ugandan coffee on the international market,” he advised.
Over 400 coffee farmers and representatives of coffee farmers’ organizations were in attendance to learn about the importance of coffee registration ahead of the upcoming registration exercise.
Badru Ssentongo, the Chief Administrative Officer for Kamuli, commended UCDA and the Kamuli Coffee Development Farmers Association for their efforts in engaging with local farmers.
Robert Isabirye, the Kamuli District Natural Resources Officer, highlighted the importance of deforestation-free coffee in Uganda’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
He urged farmers to adopt sustainable coffee production practices to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.
