Mukono District has strengthened its commitment to agricultural transformation and value addition through the commissioning of a Coffee Production Unit, Coffee Scanning Facility, and Coffee Processing Unit aimed at improving coffee quality, productivity, and farmers’ incomes across the district.
The facilities were officially commissioned by Mukono District Chairperson Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome together with members of the District Executive Committee at Kyandaza in Banda Parish, Nakisunga Sub-county.
The initiative forms part of the district’s broader efforts to promote agricultural industrialization, enhance value addition, and support wealth creation among farming communities in line with the Government of Uganda’s development agenda.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Steven Muhumuza commended the production department, led by Ms. Sarah Namanoga, District Agricultural Officer Mr. Obedi Nsubuga, and other stakeholders who worked tirelessly to establish the facilities.
Mr. Muhumuza emphasized that value addition remains a critical component of the government’s agricultural transformation strategy championed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He called for continuous farmer sensitization to ensure that modern agricultural technologies and innovations benefit farmers at the grassroots.
He urged extension workers, agricultural officers, and Village Health Teams (VHTs) to work closely with farmers by providing practical skills and knowledge that can improve agricultural productivity and household incomes.
“Knowledge should not remain with a few individuals while farmers, who are the backbone of agriculture, are left behind. We must continue equipping them with the skills needed to improve production and embrace modern farming practices,” Mr. Muhumuza said.
The Deputy CAO also applauded Hon. Francis Lukooya for championing government programmes and supporting the implementation of President Museveni’s development agenda through improved service delivery and agricultural development initiatives.
In his remarks, District Chairperson Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome commended Dr. Fred Mukulu, the technical team, and District Agricultural Officer Mr. Obedi Nsubuga for their dedication towards modernizing agriculture in Mukono District.
Hon. Lukooya particularly praised Mr. Nsubuga for his expertise in coffee production and urged him to share his knowledge with local farmers to improve coffee farming standards throughout the district.
“Transfer all the skills and knowledge you have acquired to our farmers so that coffee production in Mukono continues to improve and become more profitable,” Hon. Lukooya said.
The District Chairperson underscored the importance of agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, employment creation, and poverty eradication.
“Nothing earns more in Uganda than farming when it is done professionally. Agriculture remains one of the most rewarding sectors, but many people still practice it casually. We must embrace farming as a business if we are to transform our communities and improve household incomes,” he emphasized.
He explained that the newly commissioned facilities would support farmers through soil analysis, coffee quality assessment, and value addition, enabling them to improve production and access better markets.
The District Senior Agricultural Officer Mr. Obedi Nsubuga revealed that the facilities were established in line with the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) objective of promoting agricultural industrialization and commercialization.
He explained that farmers can now access affordable soil testing services by submitting soil samples through agricultural extension workers and receiving results within two days.
According to Mr. Nsubuga, the soil testing facility will help farmers identify soil nutrient deficiencies and receive appropriate recommendations on crop suitability and fertilizer application, leading to increased productivity and reduced production costs.
He further noted that the coffee scanning and processing facilities will assist farmers in improving coffee quality, enhancing value addition, creating employment opportunities, and increasing competitiveness in both local and international markets.
As part of the district’s coffee expansion campaign, more than 10,000 coffee seedlings were distributed to farmers during the event.
Hon. Lukooya pledged continued support to committed farmers and assured them that additional coffee seedlings would be provided to serious coffee growers as part of efforts to strengthen coffee production across the district.
The commissioning ceremony attracted members of the district production department, district leaders, technical officers, local council leaders, farmers, and other stakeholders committed to promoting agricultural development and wealth creation in Mukono District.
The commissioning of the Coffee Production Unit, Coffee Scanning Facility, and Soil Testing Unit marks a significant milestone in Mukono District’s efforts to modernize agriculture and promote value addition. The facilities are expected to improve coffee quality, increase productivity, enhance market competitiveness, and provide farmers with access to modern agricultural technologies and services.
District leaders called upon farmers to fully utilize the new facilities, embrace modern farming practices, and adopt commercial agriculture as a pathway to sustainable wealth creation. With continued government support, farmer participation, and investment in agricultural innovation, Mukono District is well-positioned to become a leading center for coffee production, agricultural industrialization, and economic transformation.
