LOCATION

1. Where is Uganda Coffee Development Authority located?

The head office is at Plot 35 Jinja Road. UCDA also has an office at Uganda Manufacturer’s Association Grounds in Lugogo which houses a laboratory.

There are also regional offices in Gulu, Mbale, Iganga, Mukono, Masaka, Bushenyi, Kasese and Fort Portal.

Gulu

UGANDA

Fort Portal

Kasese

Bushenyi Masaka Mbale

Iganga

Mukono

UCDA Lab, Logog0, Kampala

UCDA Head Office, Plot 35 Jinja Road, Kampala Gulu

PRODUCTION – PLANTING AND PLANTING MATERIALS

2. What coffee varieties can I grow?

Depending on the location of the land, one can grow Robusta or Arabica. Robusta grows in low altitude areas such as Central, Eastern, Mid North, West Nile, Western and South Western Uganda within 900-1200 metres above sea level.

Arabica is grown in the highland areas on the slopes of Mount Elgon in the East, Mt Rwenzori in the West, Mt Muhabura in the South Western region, Okoro highlands in West Nile plus other highland areas at an altitude between 1,200 and 2,500 metres aove sea level.

Note: Robusta exports are about 80% of total coffee exports and Arabica coffee 20%.

3. Where can I get coffee planting materials or coffee seedlings?

Coffee planting materials can be got from UCDA certified nurseries in the different districts.

Find out from the caller where they are located, take down their details (name and number).

Establish which certified nurseries exist in the caller’s area and call him/her back with the information.

4. When can I plant coffee?

There are two coffee planting seasons in a year – March to May and September to November.

5. What other crops can I plant with my coffee?

• Bananas – for shade • Cover crops such as the leguminous plants (cow peas and beans) to retain moisture in and add nutrients to the soil. • Various shade trees

6. Where can I get nursery coffee polythene packages?

These can be obtained from private sellers around the country.

7. What fertilizer is best for coffee?

It is recommended that a farmer carries out a soil test to know the nutrient status of his farm which will guide the amount of fertilizer to be applied. However, coffee requires fertilizers at different stages. NPK 17:17:17 or NPK 15:15:15 under compound blend can give good results.

8. How much does UCDA buy elite seedlings from certified nurseries?

Following guidelines from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Government is not buying seedlings at this time. However, farmers may purchase seedlings from UCDA-certified nurseries.

9. What are the best quality coffee seeds to grow?

For Robusta it is now recommended to plant Coffee wilt disease resistant (CWDR) clones which can be obtained from certified nurseries around the country. For Arabica, obtain vigorous seedlings from certified nurseries in the Arabica growing areas.

10. How can I control pests and diseases on my farm?

Probe for more information: • What pest/disease is on the farm? • When was it discovered? • How many plants have been affected? • Have neighbouring farms been similarly affected?

After determining what pest or disease it is, refer to the Arabica and Robusta coffee handbooks at: https:// ugandacoffee.go.ug/manuals.

If the caller is not sure, take down his/her details and escalate the query to the subject matter specialist from the Directorate of Development Services.