As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture and community development, our sustainability team recently conducted a field visit to the Buikwe Coffee farmers’ Cooperative of Seruti village and Busagazi village in Buikwe District.
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture and community development, our sustainability team recently conducted a field visit to the Buikwe Coffee farmers’ Cooperative of Seruti village and Busagazi village in Buikwe District. This initiative was aimed at strengthening relationships with the farming community and providing hands- on training in Good A agronomic Practices (GAP). Located in the fertile heart of Buikwe District, the co-operative is home to passionate smallholder coffee farmers who are eager to learn and improve their farming methods. During the visit, the team engaged with farmers in practical training sessions focused on enhancing coffee- productivity, improving soil health and promoting environmentally friendly farming techniques.
Enhancing coffee- productivity
Farmers were trained how to carryout pruning of coffee trees, stamping of coffee trees, spacing of coffee, integrated pest and disease management, replacing old coffee trees with new ones and post-harvest handling for quality improvement. This was basically to ensure that more coffee yields are harvested by farmers.
Improving soil health
Different types of mulching, application of organic fertilizers, water conservation through digging ditches within the coffee garden as well as intercropping were done so as to maintain soil fertlity which enables coffee to grow healthy season to season.
Promoting environmentally friendly farming techniques
The training emphasized the long-term benefits of sustainable practices not only for improving yields and quality but also for protecting the environment and ensuring the economic resilience of the farming communities. ‘We’re not just teaching methods; we’re building a future where farming is profitable, responsible and resilient, plant shade trees in the right way, right species for coffee and in the right quantity”. said one of the sustainability officers.
Seedling monitoring and evaluation.
Last year in October, farmers were given coffee seedlings by JKCC general supplies limited and the sustainability team checked on famers who received seedlings to see coffee progress and among those that the team reached out, it was found that most of the seedlings JKCC general supplies limited gave to its farmers in Buikwe grew and based on few like; Mr. Kaggwa Vicent who was given 30 seedlings and 23 grew, Mr. Kisomose Emma was given 35seedlings and 30 grew. Those that didn’t grow was basically because of too much sunshine that over heat them though they were irrigated and looked after. Farmers were advised to try bottle irrigation incase of dry season as far as young coffee is concerned.
Conclusion
The farmers expressed gratitude for the training and showed great enthusiasm in applying the techniques shared. One cooperative member noted, ‘these practices help us not only grow better coffee but also take care of our land’. The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between JKCC and farming communities in building a sustainable coffee value chain. We are proud to support the Buikwe Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative and look forward for continued engagement and impact. Farmers requested for more shade trees and mostly fruit trees, farm tools to farmers like pruning saws, overcoat, and Fertilizers. JKCC general supplies limited promises to continuously conduct training sessions on sustainable agricultural practices to keep farmers too informed. Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re working with farmers to grow sustainability from the ground up.