Coffee farmers across Uganda are now expected to register and report on their operations to the government under a new National Coffee Bill that recently passed the Ugandan Parliament.
The new legislation is intended to allow the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) to oversee, regulate, and promote the coffee sector and manage all aspects of the country’s value chain, according to published reports.
Farmers are asked to report information such as the size of farmland, the number of coffee trees, nursery information, and other operational specifics. The registration is free and there is no penalty for failure to register.
The new law replaces a 29-year-old UCDA Act that allowed the government agency to manage off-farm marketing and processing on a national level. The new law goes much deeper. Farmers will be actively growing coffee at the time of registration or will need to prove they intend to begin within six months.
The government says the National Coffee Bill will help in the comprehensive planning as the agency links farmers and buyers, establishes irrigation systems, and enhances extension services.
This comes after the nation enjoyed record coffee exports and earnings during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Exports totaled 5 million 60-kilo bags, up 21% over the previous year. Export earnings reached a record-high $494 million, an 18% increase from the previous year.