Honorable Godfrey Wanyoto the Member of Parliament for Budadiri West in Sironko District has called on government to urgently support coffee farmers and improve the market for Uganda's coffee.
Speaking during a community meeting with some coffee farmers held over the weekend at his residence, Hon.Wanyoto said coffee remains the backbone of the economy in Bugisu sub-region, but farmers are still suffering due to low prices, fake inputs and lack of market information.
"Our people in Budadiri West depend on coffee for school fees, health and family upkeep. But the price is not stable. Government must come in to protect the farmer and ensure we get good prices on the world market," Wanyoto said.
He noted that many farmers on the slopes of Mt. Elgon are producing high quality Arabica coffee, yet middlemen are cheating them and buying at very low prices.
The legislator asked government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) to Provide subsidized quality seedlings and fertilizers, Train farmers on proper post-harvest handling ,Fight counterfeit chemicals and Stabilize coffee prices.
Honorable Wanyoto also appealed to farmers to form cooperatives so they can sell collectively and bargain for better prices, instead of selling individually.
Farmers who attended the meeting welcomed the MP's call and asked government to re-introduce price regulation and also support value addition by establishing coffee processing plants in Bugisu.
Uganda is Africa's leading coffee exporter, but local farmers say they are not benefiting enough.
DO YOU HAVE STORY IN YOUR COMMUNITY PLEASE CONTACT OUR EDITORIAL TEAM 0784600360.EMAIL:voiceonemediaupdates@gmail.com.
