The sustainability team from JKCC General Supplies limited embarked on a transformative journey with the Rushasha Coffee Farmer’s Cooperative with a vision rooted in transparency, empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
The sustainability team from JKCC General Supplies limited embarked on a transformative journey to Rukungiri District, partnering with the Rushasha Coffee Farmer’s Cooperative. With a vision rooted in transparency, empowerment, and environmental stewardship, which focused on two major activities: farmer profiling and the demarcation of a model coffee demonstration farm. This milestone marked a significant step toward deepening engagement with coffee growers and strengthening sustainable coffee production in the region.
Farmer profiling is a critical component in building a more sustainable and traceable coffee value chain. In Rushasha, the sustainability team undertook the meticulous task of gathering detailed information on coffee farmers affiliated with the co-operative. This data-driven approach allows Just know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC) to understand the specific needs of each farmer, tailor support services accordingly, and ensure that their voices are heard in decision making processes.
The Coffee Demonstration Farm: A living Laboratory of Best practices
The second major achievement was the successful demarcation of a model coffee demonstration farm in Rushasha. This farm will serve as a practical, hands-on training ground for farmers, offering them an opportunity to learn and adopt best agronomic practices under real life conditions. The chosen site is representative of the local terrain and farming context, making it an ideal location to test and showcase sustainable practices such as soil fertility management, mulching, shade tree integration, pest and disease control, and proper harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques. The demarcation process involved careful mapping of the land, setting up clear boundaries, and planning layout and infrastructure such as shade structures, compost pits, and irrigation systems.
Once operational, the demonstration farm will also support knowledge exchange through filed schools and farmer visits. It embodies the cooperative’s goal of capacity building and long-term productivity, ensuring that farmers have access to the latest innovations in sustainable coffee farming.
Both Farmer profiling and model farm demarcation underscore the shared commitment between JKCC and the Rushasha Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative to improving farmer livelihoods, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring a quality product from bean to cup. The initiative also aligns with Uganda’s broader goals of enhancing agricultural productivity and empowering smallholder farmers, particularly in rural communities like Rukungiri. By investing in the people behind the coffee, the project is creating resilient farming systems and a future ready generation of producers.
As the 2025 season progresses, the next steps include analyzing the farmer profiling data to develop targeted support programs and beginning the physical development of the demonstration farm. Regular follow ups and collaborative planning sessions with the Rushasha Cooperative will ensure that the initiative remains farmer led and responsive to the community’s evolving needs.