Dr. Gerald Kyalo, the Director Development Services at UCDA, addressing coffee stakeholders on Wednesday
Uganda Coffee Development Authority’s effort to sensitise and register coffee value chain to enable the sub-sector comply with the European Union Regulation for Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive requirements has received a boost from the aBi Development.
Moses Nyabila, the CEO of aBi Development, told coffee stakeholders at a breakfast meeting held at Mestil Hotel on Wednesday that his organisation is supporting the process with UGX 16 billion. The meeting was convened by Uganda Coffee Development Authority to update stakeholders on the efforts being made to implement Uganda’s National Action Plan on EUDR.
On 5th December 2022, the European Union (EU) Parliament approved the EU Regulation for deforestation-free products (EUDR) to ensure supply chains remain free from products that cause deforestation.
The deforestation regulation which goes into effect from 30th December 2024 requires that exporters of commodities such as coffee, cocoa and their derivatives submit specific documentations to export to the EU market.
Nyabila said aBi is committed to see Uganda retain the EU market that takes over 60% of Uganda’s coffee exports.
“We are providing catalytic support. The aBi Board approved UGX 16 billion that will go towards awareness creation, setting up a coordination unit and a down payment towards the Traceability System (registration of farmers),” Nyabila said, adding that by close of the year (2024), about one million coffee farmers will have been registered. Uganda has an estimated 1.8 million coffee farmers.
“The traceability system will ensure that all coffee farmers are registered and visible. The quality of their coffee will be reflected in the price,” he said.
He noted that aBi there is mobilising additional resources because it is estimated that Uganda requires about UGX 100 billion to be fully compliant with the EUDR. The registration of farmers is set to kick off in September.
Nyabila thanked the Royal Danish Embassy and the European Union for their support.
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Gerald Kyalo, the Director Development Services at UCDA, who represented the Authority’s Managing Director, said the Government is committed to ensuring that Uganda continues to access the EU market by being compliant with the EUDR requirements.
He applauded aBi and other development partners for mobilizing resources to support Uganda’s efforts to comply with the EUDR rules.
He revealed that the Government has committed funds totaling Shs13.9bn in the 2024/25 budget towards registration of coffee farmers.
This is a very good initiative, please fasten the process of registration,. Please don’t forget that iam one of those that is mobilising farmers in Teso to grow coffee and already farmers have picked interest in the crop, I have 400 registered farmers in Amuria District that I have started land preparations for planting.
Paul Ariko 0772655852
Well done
How can someone involve in registration of farmers
Good support.
Good work
Good support and I want to add on my fertilizer on my Garden.