Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-30 08:42:54
The coffee prices are currently at a high and motivating level, making the upcoming harvesting season an anticipated period for farmers. With coffee cherries being almost as good as cash, the current price of around Shs11,000 per kilogramme of FAQ (KASE) poses a challenge for farmers in terms of protecting their crops from theft.
Thieves often take advantage of the night when farmers are asleep or when the household members are away to steal coffee cherries. In some cases, even the members of the household themselves engage in stealing and selling coffee secretly. This illegal activity compromises the quality of the coffee and reduces the farmers’ income since unripe coffee cherries don’t weigh much and are sold by weight.
In order to protect their crops, farmers are advised to be vigilant during the harvest season. Joseph Nkandu, the executive director of NUCAFE and a commercial coffee farmer, emphasizes the importance of community cooperation and policing to guard against theft. Farmers are encouraged to pick only red cherries, as harvesting unripe ones affects the quality of the coffee.
It is also important for farmers to monitor the laborers who are picking coffee, ensure proper drying methods, and secure storage facilities to prevent theft. Surveillance cameras, guards, and community patrols can help enhance security in drying yards and farms. Establishing strong fences with lockable gates, motion-sensor lights, and alarms can deter intruders and protect the coffee from theft.
To avoid exploitation by middlemen, farmers should familiarize themselves with market prices and trends, negotiate fair prices, and consider joining or forming cooperatives for better bargaining power. Written contracts with clear terms of trade, exploring alternative markets, and direct selling can maximize profits and reduce dependence on intermediaries.
UCDA is working to sensitize farmers and traders about the National Coffee Act to ensure compliance with the law. Farmers are encouraged to have their own weighing scales and moisture meters to prevent deceitful practices by traders. By following these guidelines and working together as a community, coffee farmers can protect their crops and livelihoods from theft and exploitation.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
