The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in partnership with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom established a coffee demonstration garden in Kikuube district to boost coffee production in the Bunyoro region. This follows an agreement signed on June 10, 2023, between the two institutions to demonstrate and scale out cutting-edge agricultural technologies for socio-economic transformation.
Located strategically near the historic Musaijamukuru hill in Kikuube district, the one-acre coffee demonstration site features four NARO coffee varieties (Kituuza Robusta 3, 5, 6 and 7). Mr. Ekwangu Joseph, an Agronomist at Bulindi ZARDI, said that these were preferred because of their adaptability, performance, tolerance to Coffee Berry Disease and resistance to Coffee Wilt Disease and Coffee Rust.
The site further demonstrates climate smart coffee production practices most notably soil and water management (manure application, mulching and construction of water retention channels and basins). While addressing stakeholders at the commissioning ceremony held on March 27, 2024, the Director of Bulindi ZARDI, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma, said that NARO has generated numerous innovative agricultural technologies and improved varieties to ensure for improved and sustainable household transformation characterised by food and nutrition security and incomes of the communities.
He commended the NARO secretariat for providing funds for the establishment of the demonstration garden and implored the Director General of NARO to consider facilitating setting up such demonstrations in every district to accelerate technology adoption. Dr. Sadik Kassim, who represented the Director General of NARO, said that this initiative aims to rally the people into commercial production.
We’ve come to join the kingdom to mobilise the communities into serious production, he said.
As they undertake commercial production, Dr. Sadik encourages farmers to conserve the environment by practicing conservation agriculture, maintaining soil cover and diversity. In addition to conserving the environment, he called for selection of the right enterprises and compliance to standards during marketing to sustain demand.
The Kingdom Prime Minister, Owek. Andrew Byakutaaga who was the chief guest at the commissioning ceremony hailed NARO for supporting the kingdom in transforming the livelihoods of her people. We’re grateful that you [NARO] were able to support us with various things including the technical expertise, fertilisers and now the sign post,” Owek. Byakutaaga said. Amidst the speeches and a thrilling performance by Bunyoro traditional drummers and dancers, attendees sampled aromatic fresh coffee distinctively brewed by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority.