Processing facility to built in Nakaseke, Uganda

With the aid of a $60,000 grant from the central government, farmers in the Nakaseke District of Central Uganda are looking to create their very own coffee processing and agricultural factory, local press reports.

In addition to a dedicated space for coffee farmers to sort their crop, the facility, which looks set to be erected in Kamuli Parish, Kikamulo, will also be home to a maize milling machine.

The Kikamulo Cooperative will oversee the development of the building.

“When we discussed the idea of value addition with [the] government and Gen Saleh, “said Paul Sejjabu Kasolo of the Cooperative, “it was supported.”

Kasolo also went on to say that the creation of a dedicated coffee processing facility in the area will undoubtedly increase value of locally grown coffee and, therefore, make it more desirable for both domestic and international markets.

At the moment, the Kikamulo Cooperative is believed to have around 500 registered members and produce, roughly, 1,000 tons of coffee per season.

This is just one of a number of initiatives that Ugandan establishments are helping to fund. Previously, the Uganda Coffee Devlopment Authority (UCDA) sent in excess of 150,000 coffee seedlings to Nakaseke in a big bid to support farmers in the area.

2015 hasn’t been a great year for coffee farmers in the African nation from a monetary point of view, so this news will surely be welcomed with open arms. You may remember that at the turn of the year the UCDA announced that exports of Ugandan coffee had dropped dramatically and that they would be providing equipment and chemicals to farmers who were suffering crop loss from the combined effects of drought and the coffee berry borer.

But, as alluded to earlier, many government and non-profit bodies have been helping alleviate fears, such as USAID, who have been very active in the country.

Interestingly, Kasolo also praised the colourful military officer General Salim Saleh for lending his support. Saleh houses a variety of local and national development projects, some of which are funded by the government and heavily linked to the agricultural sector.