In a groundbreaking move, Operation Wealth Creation has launched an ambitious coffee cultivation program in Rukiga, sparking a significant transformation in the local coffee farming landscape.

Jimmy Baluku, the General Manager of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority for Southwestern Uganda, urged coffee farmers in the Kigezi Sub-region to enhance the quality of their coffee to meet international standards.

This initiative came to fruition during an event where 2 million coffee seedlings found their way into the hands of farmers in Rukiga District, specifically in Nyabuyungu Village, Kibanda Parish, Kamwezi Sub-County, courtesy of the Kigezi Farmers Transformation Initiative.

Jimmy Baluku, the General Manager of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority for Southwestern Uganda highlighted Uganda's impressive coffee industry, with over 1.7 million coffee farmers positively impacting the lives of nearly 5 million Ugandans.

 He revealed that Uganda is a key player in the global coffee market, exporting 6.25 million bags of coffee, generating a revenue of $790 million. Uganda proudly stands as Africa's second-largest coffee producer and holds the eighth position globally.

According to Baluku, the distribution of these 2 million coffee seedlings among local residents has the potential to contribute 67 bags of 60-kilogram coffee each to national coffee exports, leading to a production of 4 million kilograms and an impressive 6 billion Ugandan Shillings in earnings for Rukiga's farmers.

Baluku passionately emphasized the vital role of coffee farming in the Kigezi Sub-region and the national economy, urging farmers to join forces in increasing coffee production and actively participating in the thriving coffee industry.

Dr. Sylivia Arineitwe, the Director of the Kigezi Farmers Transformation Initiative who played a pivotal role in securing these coffee seedlings from Operation Wealth Creation explained that her vision is to ensure that every household in the district receives these seedlings, enabling them to partake in the burgeoning Coffee Money economy.

Col. Joram Basheija, the Director of Operational Wealth Creation for the Western Region who also graced the gathering as the guest of honour expressed optimism that the adoption of coffee cultivation by residents would lead to poverty alleviation. Col. Basheija also pledged the unwavering support of the government to ensure the success of this initiative and its positive impact on the lives of the district's residents.

Some of the farmers hailed the move to introduce massive coffee growing and vowed to embrace it for the best results to be realized.

Existing data indicates that the global demand for coffee stands at 178.5 million 60-kilogram bags, while production is at 165.5 million bags, leaving a significant gap of around 10 million bags.