By Sharon Basilika
Mukono District Chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome has urged farmers to embrace coffee and cocoa farming as a source of employment and household income.
Lukooya said the district is committed to promoting modern agricultural practices among farmers to increase productivity and improve livelihoods.
He said the district will strengthen farmer training programmes, with emphasis on modern farming methods, including irrigation to help farmers maintain production during dry seasons.
Uganda largely depends on rain-fed agriculture, leaving farmers vulnerable when rainfall is delayed or dry spells extend beyond the normal seasonal pattern, making irrigation important for maintaining crop production.
Lukooya made the remarks during a visit to the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) in Kituuza, Ntenjeru-Kisoga Town Council, where district leaders and farmers explored opportunities for collaboration to boost coffee and cocoa production.
The discussions focused on strengthening farmers’ capacity, promoting modern farming practices and increasing access to improved planting materials.
The Director General of NaCORI, Dr Godfrey Arinaitwe, welcomed the proposed partnership, saying collaboration between the research institute, local leaders and farmers would help improve agricultural production.
Local leaders and farmers said strengthening coffee and cocoa production could help revive Mukono’s agricultural heritage while creating employment opportunities and increasing household incomes.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the coffee and cocoa value chains in the district and encourage more farmers, particularly young people, to engage in commercial agriculture.
