Farmers urged to go slow on Coffee as Acholi’s First Cooperative eyes big harvest

By Allan Richard Odoch

Gulu, Uganda: Gulu City’s Principal Commercial Officer, Mr. Kidega George Nicolas, has urged farmers in the Acholi Sub-region to adopt a cautious approach to coffee farming, warning that the increasing excitement around the crop should be matched with proper knowledge and planning.

Speaking during the first Annual General Meeting of the Acholi Coffee Growers Cooperative Society Limited on Friday, Mr. Kidega advised farmers to begin with manageable acreage, citing the risks of investing heavily without experience.

“We have a lot of misinformation on coffee growing. Please, I advise farmers to start small—no more than two acres,” Mr. Kidega said. “Many community members still leave animals to graze freely, especially in the dry season. Exact care is needed, and farmers should take coffee slowly.”

He acknowledged the crop’s potential for consistent returns due to its relatively stable pricing, but emphasized that small gardens are ideal for farmers starting out. He also cautioned farmers against purchasing counterfeit farm inputs, advising them to buy in bulk from trusted suppliers.

“People are advancing day and night. Farmers should be aware of fake farm inputs. Please buy in bulk from trusted, genuine sources,” he added.

First Cooperative in the Sub-region Targets 1,000 Acres

The Acholi Coffee Growers Cooperative Society Limited, the first of its kind in the sub-region, has set an ambitious target of cultivating over 1,000 acres of coffee this year as it aims to become Uganda’s leading coffee producer.

Mr. Komakech Dickens Okot, the Chairman of the cooperative, highlighted the challenges faced by coffee farmers in Acholi, including lack of information and the high cost of seedlings.

“The only problem is that coffee seedlings are expensive. An acre takes about 450 seedlings, and each seedling costs between UGX 1,000 to 3,000. That’s really expensive for many farmers,” Mr. Komakech noted.

He appealed for government intervention to help the cooperative access affordable and quality seedlings, stressing that lack of financing remains a major hurdle.

Farmers Share Their Experiences

Mrs. Margret Aber, a 54-year-old farmer from Nwoya District, shared her journey with coffee farming, revealing how she lost UGX 3.5 million due to poor farm management on her initial attempt.

“In 2022, I planted two acres of coffee and entrusted the garden to someone with no experience. She ended up digging up all the seedlings while ploughing,” Aber recalled. “This time I’m more informed and trying again, still with two acres.”

Mr. Silvester Opira, an advisor to the cooperative, expressed optimism about the future of coffee in Acholi, pointing to the region’s suitable conditions for Robusta coffee.

“I know Robusta does very well here. Personally, I will start with two acres this season,” he said. “We expect grants, supplies, and machinery to support the cooperative. We’ll also offer subsidies on seedlings to members.”

Coffee Farming on the Rise in Northern Uganda

Although coffee has been cultivated in Uganda since the early 1900s, the northern region—especially Acholi—has historically lagged behind in production. With fertile soil and favorable climate, the sub-region is now being recognized for its potential in Robusta coffee farming.

The Acholi Coffee Growers Cooperative Society Limited was formed to bridge this gap and lead a new wave of agricultural transformation in Northern Uganda. Through training, government collaboration, and farmer support, the cooperative aims to boost both production and income for local farmers.