Coffee Farmers in Uganda are Disadvantaged






Uganda produces some of the best coffee in the world but is treated unfairly by Europe
according to some observers - mainly those in Uganda itself. This is particularly so for the
actual producers themselves who get a disproportionate share of the revenue generated by
their coffee trade.

Observers calculate that Ugandan exporters and their growers get only 6 percent of the end
sale price suggesting clear evidence of exploitation. This is on the background of coffee
being one of the biggest cash producers for Uganda. Recent developments have solidified
their position in the coffee world with a substantial financial lift in recent years.
Higher prices have contributed to the healthy growth. There is also a substantial input from
consumers who are increasingly looking for, and buying, higher grades of coffee.
African countries have an advantage where coffee is concerned. The terrain and geography in
Uganda makes it entirely suitable for coffee growing and they are able to take full
advantage of current trends in the global market. Coffee is big business and Uganda mean to
make full use of it.

In fact, the demand for coffee from Africa is higher than ever. Uganda has proved no
exception to the drive for better coffee production. Now African coffee is a stand alone
product as well as a component of various coffee grades.

As coffee production increases and blossoms, so the economy improves. This, in turn, leads
to the notion of reducing or even removing poverty in Uganda. Lower percentage revenues,
conversely, enhances the poverty trap for the producers.

But everything is not plain sailing. Ugandan farmers cannot easily farm for coffee as there
is little in the way of guaranteed support - financially or otherwise. Even the Ugandan
government appear unable to offer much in the way of help.
So farmers have to work hard for little income and their cash flow is inadequate to meet
their needs for tools and good labour. Consequently, farmers resort to multi-crop growing on
their farms.

Further agreements between Europe and African nations could mean that there is further
exploitation and hardship. Uganda is big in organic coffee bean farming, producing over
2,000 tons of organic coffee beans annually. Chemicals are not used and the soil is
naturally fertilised. But even this, according to observers, is being undermined by
regulations. And these regulations are, it is alleged, helping to make a small profit even
smaller by disallowing adequate farming for a period of time until "certified."

The Ugandan authorities need to ensure not only good coffee production within specified
regulatory guidelines but also an economy which rewards and improves the lives of their
production farmers.

Engineering Jobs in Uganda