aBi Dev’t Commits Shs16bn Towards Registration of Coffee Farmers As Uganda Races To Meet EUDR Rules

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 5^th 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 30^th 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.