WORLD BANK TEAM CONCLUDES ITS RISK ASSESSMENT MISSION OF UGANDA'S COFFEE TRADE

The World Bank team comprising 4 experts visited Uganda from 16^th to 27^th August, 2010 on a risk assessment mission. The team virtually visited and interviwed a representative sample of organizations and people involved in coffee trade right from research, farmers, processors, traders, exporters and roasters with the ultimate aim of identifying and quantifying the key risks.

The mission held interviews with the industry bodies such as Uganda Coffee Development Authority, National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE), Uganda Coffee Trade Federation (UCTF), Cafe Africa (Uganda), Uganda Coffee Roasters Association (UCRA), Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA), Union Export Services (UNEX) and others. Other institutions visited included Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED), Coffee Research Centre (COREC), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Meteorology Department, and Bank of Uganda, among others.

The team visited  farmers and farmer groups including cooperative groups, processors, input suppliers including Uganda National Agro-inputs Dealers Association (UNADA) and middlemen (small, FAQ traders and big merchants selling graded coffee)). The team also visited the organic and fair trade coffee players: Agro-Eco, National Organic Movement in Uganda (NOGAMU) and Gumutindo Cooperative Union in Mbale District. 

Financial institutions which also play a significant role in financing coffee trade were also interviewed as well as logistics companies. UCDA coordinated the World Bank mission’s visit.   

UCDA was among a number of exhibitors who had the privilege of showcasing their products to the African Union delegates.  Although the continental summit’s thrust was on how to effectively handle maternal health and to reduce infant mortality rates in Africa and of course discussions on the security situation prevailing on the continent, this did not deter delegates from enjoying delicious coffee served at the coffee stall. Delegates, eager to taste Uganda coffee thronged the stall to have a sip of at least one cup of Uganda’s black gold. Many contacts were made. Serving delicious coffee in such big events boosts domestic consumption as delegates who have high disposable incomes can be stimulated to drink coffee in preference to other hot beverages. UCDA will continue to demonstrate good brewing practices and also train hoteliers and café operators in preparation of specialized coffees.

 UCDA PARTICIPATES IN JINJA AGRICULTURAL TRADE SHOW

UCDA participated fully in the Jinja Agricultural Trade Show from July 12-18, 2010 in which value added agricultural products were showcased. The Agricultural Trade show is an annual event organized by Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE). UCDA demonstrated good brewing practices in addition to illustrating the full coffee story. From nursery management to farming-employing good agricultural practices, trading and later consumption were shown to the show goers. Graphs illustrating coffee’s contribution to Uganda’s foreign exchange since liberalization  also featured prominently. UCDA’s presence at the show also benefited farmers who enquired about source of good planting materials and costs of establishing coffee farms, students who were eager to learn about the importance of coffee and its position in the national economy and globally as well as those who were interested in establishing cafés and coffee shops. Preparation of specialized coffees was also demonstrated. New farming technologies were demonstrated as well. 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS COUNTRYSTAT FOR UGANDA LAUNCHED

A country statistics information system to improve the quality, accessibility, relevance and reliability of national statistics on food and agricultural statistics was launched in Uganda on 16^th June 2010 at Grand Imperial Hotel, Kampala. The CountrySTAT project is part of an FAO US$ 5.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to assist 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Some of the statistics include: production, export, trade, population, and climate.  

 The CountrySTAT launch was officially opened by the Chairman, Board of Directors, UBOS, Dr. E.S.K Muwanga-Zake in which he appreciated the FAO’s CountrySTAT as a tool which will go a long way in ensuring that data gaps in the agricultural sector are bridged and standard methodologies are used when carrying out agricultural censuses, surveys and studies. He indicated that it would be easy to compare indicators from different countries using the same standards. He also echoed on the need for coordination of agencies involved in the collection and analysis of agricultural data and assured participants that UBOS is emphatic on ensuring that the National Statistics System (NSS) is efficient and that the National Plan for Statistics Development (NPSD) is implemented with agricultural statistics as a major component based on agricultural sector’s importance to the Ugandan economy in terms of employment and exports. 

CountrySTAT is a global database on food and agriculture initiated by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in which food and agricultural statistics from member states have been or will be uploaded regularly in a coherent way and accessed which has allowed (will allow) comparisons among countries and within countries by themes, by regions and by districts. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) will be the focal point in Uganda. The launch drew participants from agencies responsible for producing, disseminating and using agricultural statistics, UCDA inclusive.

The Director, Crop Production and Marketing who represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries, Dr. Okasai Opolot, officially launched the CountrySTAT website for Uganda.

The FAO Representative in Uganda, Mr. Percy Misika also gave some remarks on Uganda’s achievement in the field of agricultural statistics. The CountrySTAT (www.countrystat.org) will require UCDA to provide statistics especially on coffee crop area, production and exports.