Coffee Cultivation Reshapes Livelihoods in Uganda's Cattle Corridor

For generations, the cattle corridor districts of Uganda, including Sembabule, Kiruhura, and Gomba, have been synonymous with livestock farming. However, a significant shift is underway, with coffee cultivation emerging as a powerful economic driver, complementing and reshaping traditional livelihoods.

Farmers are increasingly dedicating former ranchland to coffee plantations. This transition is not about abandoning cattle and goat rearing entirely, but rather about diversifying income streams and securing greater financial stability. Joseph Basiima, a farmer from Nabitanga Sub-county in Sembabule, shared his transformative experience. The earnings from his two-acre coffee garden allowed him to cover his children’s school fees without needing to sell any of his livestock, a challenge he previously faced annually.

Initially hesitant, Basiima was inspired by successful mixed farmers like Paul Ssembeguya, who provided seedlings, transportation assistance, and farming guidance. This support proved pivotal, turning Basiima into a more committed coffee grower, now tending over four acres.

Across Gomba District, the trend is similar. Kellen Nuwayombeka, a district councillor, notes a surge in coffee seedling prices due to high demand, with local nurseries struggling to meet orders, forcing farmers to source seedlings from neighboring districts like Bukomansimbi and Masaka.

In Sembabule, officials highlight coffee farming’s sustainability. A notable example is Mr. Ssembeguya’s 200-acre model farm, which not only employs numerous individuals but also serves as a learning center for advanced techniques like fertigation. This method, which uses animal manure to enrich soil nutrients and retain moisture, is particularly beneficial in dry spells common to the region.

Anthony Katamba, another farmer in Ntuusi Sub-county, reported an impressive Shs13 million earnings from just over 3,000 kilograms of fresh coffee beans in a single season, enabling him to pay school fees without selling animals. He is now expanding his coffee cultivation.

Statistics from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census indicate that agriculture is the backbone of the cattle corridor’s economy, engaging over 85 percent of the population. Sembabule District Chairperson, Patrick Nkalubo, expressed optimism about the coffee sector’s future, as farmers readily adopt modern irrigation and farming technologies. Uganda’s coffee exports have seen a notable increase in recent periods, further underscoring the crop’s economic significance.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)