Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has launched the distribution of coffee, banana and cocoa seedlings in the Teso Sub-region, urging farmers to embrace commercial agriculture as a pathway to wealth creation and household economic transformation.
The initiative, launched on Saturday at Katakwi District Headquarters under the theme “Coffee for Wealth Creation and Household Commercialization,” is intended to promote the cultivation of perennial cash crops across the Teso Sub-region.
The programme targets eleven districts, including Katakwi, Kumi, Bukedea, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Soroti, Serere, Ngora, Kalaki and Kaberamaido, among others.
Addressing farmers, district leaders, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and agricultural extension workers, Alupo said Uganda’s economic transformation depends on shifting households from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
“We cannot transform households through lamentations and speeches. We need focus and a clear plan to improve our earnings,” she said.
The Vice President noted that while food crops have sustained communities for decades, greater emphasis must now be placed on income-generating agriculture to improve household incomes.
She challenged the people of Teso to transition from subsistence farming to commercial production, saying the region has the potential to become a major producer of coffee, bananas and cocoa.
Alupo also called on extension workers, district leaders and other stakeholders to spearhead the implementation of the programme.
“Teso has traditionally depended on cotton as its major cash crop, alongside cassava, groundnuts, sorghum and potatoes. While these crops remain important, they have not significantly reduced poverty across the region,” she said.
She revealed that government plans to increase coffee production to more than 20 million tonnes under Uganda’s Vision 2030 agenda and has already distributed about 80 million seedlings across the eleven districts in Teso.
The Vice President advised farmers to ensure proper moisture management for perennial crops, especially during flowering, and encouraged the use of simple irrigation methods, including recycled bottles.
Soroti City West MP and NRM Eastern Region Vice Chairperson Calvin Echodu pledged the ruling party’s continued support towards poverty eradication through the distribution of quality seedlings.
Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze assured farmers of government support and urged district leaders, particularly LCV chairpersons, to closely monitor agricultural programmes to ensure they achieve their intended impact.
He also challenged agricultural extension workers to effectively carry out their responsibilities and help transform community mindsets towards commercial farming.
Trade Minister Sanjeev Tanna commended the Vice President for championing poverty eradication through agriculture.
He pledged government support in securing markets for agricultural produce and encouraged farmers to invest in enterprises that generate income rather than focusing solely on food production.
State Minister for Sports and Ngariam County MP Peter Ogwang called for unity among leaders, saying political differences should not derail development.
“Let us put politics aside and focus on delivering the message of poverty eradication to our communities over the next five years,” he said.
Members of Parliament Peter Paul Emaju (Kasilo), Samuel Ediu (Amuria) and Constantine Okwi also pledged support for government efforts to eradicate poverty through commercial agriculture.
Emaju appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Office of the Vice President to support farmers who have already embraced coffee growing by strengthening value addition initiatives and increasing the supply of seedlings.
Katakwi District LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Omolo, who also chairs the Teso LCV Chairpersons’ Forum, welcomed the introduction of coffee as a new enterprise in the region.
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture to support farmers in addressing climate-related challenges that could affect coffee production and encouraged residents to embrace commercial agriculture.
The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Paul Sande Emolot, thanked the Vice President for supporting development in Teso and urged residents to adopt coffee, banana and cocoa growing as a means of fighting poverty.
He also appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to allow the Uganda Coffee Institute (ICU) to utilise Serere Research Institute facilities to strengthen seedling production and agricultural research.
Sylvia Damalie Owanga, Commissioner representing the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, said the programme is part of government’s broader strategy to improve household incomes and livelihoods.
She revealed that more than 700 million seedlings have so far been distributed to over 1.2 million households nationwide to promote commercial agriculture.
“Coffee remains one of Uganda’s leading cash crops. Through the distribution of seedlings, we are empowering households to increase their incomes and improve their welfare,” she said.
Owanga urged district leaders and other stakeholders to mobilise communities and encourage farmers to embrace perennial cash crops.
One of the beneficiaries, Lilian Amunge from Katakwi District, praised the government for introducing coffee, banana and cocoa to the region.
She encouraged fellow farmers to fully embrace the new crops, saying they have the potential to transform household incomes and improve livelihoods.
