Kole farmers turn to coffee and cocoa as extension services spark rural hope

Kole, Uganda: Farmers in Kole District are increasingly shifting to coffee and cocoa farming, driven by strengthened extension services and growing confidence in high-value crops as a pathway to improved household incomes.

The transition was evident during a field support visit on Tuesday to Te-Akwar Village in Western A Ward, Ayer Town Council, where a joint technical team from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the district production department assessed progress on the ground.

The visit, led by District Production and Marketing Officer Mr Opio Richard and District Agricultural Officer Mr Otim McLean, focused on equipping farmers with practical skills in coffee and cocoa agronomy.

“What we are seeing on the ground is very promising. Farmers are taking the advice seriously, and the crops are responding well,” Mr Otim said.

Across farms visited, extension workers demonstrated proper spacing, pruning, pest and disease control, and soil management—interventions officials say are key to boosting productivity and quality.

Mr Opio emphasized that hands-on engagement is central to the district’s strategy. “We want to move beyond theory. By coming into the gardens, we ensure farmers understand and apply the right practices,” he said.

Farmers Report Visible Impact

Farmers who interacted with the team said the support is already transforming their practices and expectations.

Ms Akello Sarah, a cocoa farmer in Ayer Town Council, said the guidance has improved how she manages her crops. “Initially, we planted without clear guidance. Now I understand pruning, spacing, and how to identify diseases early,” she said. “My cocoa garden is healthier.”

In Bala Sub-county, coffee farmer Mr Okello James noted visible improvements in his plantation. “Before, my coffee trees were uneven and poorly maintained. Now they are well spaced and properly pruned. I am confident production will increase,” he said.

The renewed focus on commercial crops is also attracting young people back into farming.

Mr Ocen Peter, a youth farmer from Aboke Sub-county, said extension support is changing perceptions about agriculture. “Many youths had lost hope in farming, but this kind of support is motivating us. Agriculture can employ many of us if we are guided and linked to markets,” he said.

Strategic Shift to High-Value Crops

District officials say the push towards coffee and cocoa is deliberate, given their higher and more stable returns compared to subsistence crops.

Ms Atim Rose, a farmer from Alito Sub-county, said she has already begun expanding her coffee acreage. “I started small, but the returns are encouraging. With the knowledge we are receiving, I am confident coffee can sustain my family,” she said.

The initiative reflects broader efforts by MAAIF and local governments to strengthen extension systems and promote commercial agriculture at the grassroots.

“This collaboration ensures that national programmes are felt where they matter most—in farmers’ fields,” Mr Opio said.

Despite challenges such as access to quality inputs and market fluctuations, officials believe Kole is laying a strong foundation for transformation. “If farmers stay committed and we sustain this level of support, Kole has the potential to become a strong coffee and cocoa-producing district,” Mr Otim said.