Project Bukomansimbi Robusta Uganda
Bukomansimbi : Sustainable specialty Robusta in Uganda
When
Project started in September 2024
Where
District de Bukomansimbi Région Centre Ouganda
Who
Bukomansimbi Coffee Farmers Association
Bukomansimbi : Sustainable Robusta in Uganda
Context
The impact of climate change will significantly affect coffee production.
When considering that Robusta:
- Is more resistant to high temperatures (Arabica suffers above 23°C, while Robusta tolerates up to 30°C),
- Is less sensitive to rust and pests (its name comes from "robust," after all),
- Adapts better to climate challenges (water stress, drought),
- Has higher productivity (it yields up to twice as much coffee per hectare as Arabica),
- Requires fewer inputs and pesticides,
Wouldn’t growing high-quality Robusta be a solution for the future of coffee?
Robusta origin
Robusta (Coffea canephora) originates from the tropical forests of Central and West Africa. Uganda is considered one of the birthplaces of Robusta, where it still grows wild today. This origin makes it a species naturally adapted to hot, humid tropical conditions, with a resilience capacity far superior to that of Arabica. Although Vietnam is now the world's leading producer of Robusta, Uganda remains a major player with high-quality local varieties.
Why did you choose Bukomansimbi?
The Bukomansimbi district produces over 80% of Uganda's Robusta. However, the region faces quality challenges, not least because of a lack of training in post-harvest management and a market with few incentives. Yet some growers are determined to learn and improve their practices. It is therefore the ideal place to launch this high-quality Robusta project.
Presentation of the project
The Sustainable Robusta project in Bukomansimbi aims to enhance the value of Robusta cultivation and in particular the Nganda variety in Uganda by helping growers to adopt more sustainable practices and improve quality. Through training in agroforestry, soil management and coffee processing, the project aims to improve crop resilience in the face of climate change, increase added value for producers and establish a long-term sourcing relationship with the Bukomansimbi Quality Coffee Farmers Association.
Goals
- Train producers to organise themselves into groups and support them in structuring the association.
- Providing training in sustainable farming practices: planting shade trees, using organic fertilisers and improving post-harvest methods.
- Establish a long-term sourcing relationship with the Bukomansimbi Quality Coffee Farmers Association.
Success indicators
Short term (1 year) :
- Improved coffee quality through training. Number of members wishing to join the association.
- Adoption of new farming practices (agroforestry system).
- Number of trees planted in the first year.
Long term :
- Continuous improvement in coffee quality.
- Growth in the number of members.
- Develop a desirable and sustainable Robusta offering.
- Improved living conditions for producers and development of the association's infrastructure (machinery, processing equipment, etc.)
Complete documentation
Page in PDF and QRCode in all languages
Do you want to support this initiative? The coffees linked to this project will be available soon.
Timeline du projet
September 2024
Launching the project
To launch this project, Stephan and Maureen, based in the field, launched a series of visits to farmers in the Bukomansimbi area to select farmers and farms with good potential for producing quality Robusta.
October 2024
Launch meeting
Organisation of a meeting with 15 farmers in a central location and explanation of the sustainable robusta sourcing project.
October-november 2024
Farm visits and findings
Planning and visits to 15 individual farms to analyse their agronomic practices, post-harvest processing methods, acreage and opportunities.
The farmers own an average of 10 acres of land and grow coffee as a mixed crop with bananas, potatoes and manioc. Very few of them have planted shade trees such as mutumba, avocado, mango and jackfruit, as they had always been told that shade favoured coffee tree diseases. They were all organic farmers, except for the last two years. They manage manual harvesting and drying on their farms.
2 November 2024
Visit Stephan and Maureen's pilot farm for inspiration
The 15 farmers visited Stephan and Maureen's farm for training and to immerse themselves in an exemplary model of sustainable farming practices. The training programme covered organic farming practices, growing under shade, selective harvesting at maturity, sorting by flotation, drying on raised beds and the impact of humidity levels.
November 2024
Setting up an association
Following these training sessions, the farmers decided to form an association: the Kikenene Association of Quality Coffee Producers, and elected a representative. Each farmer will produce and process a small batch (at least 200kg) this year to launch the project.
"By developing a sustainable, high-quality Robusta industry, we are giving producers the means to preserve their terroir, improve their income and build a more resilient industry in the face of climate challenges. This project is an opportunity to restore the image of Robusta among roasters and consumers.
The project is being led and monitored by our Belco colleagues on the ground in Uganda: Stéphan Katongole and Maureen Kaliisa, who themselves produce quality Robusta on their farm. "
