Uganda Coffee Growing Project

Clonal coffee farming is crucial in Uganda for several reasons, primarily due to its role in increasing yields, enhancing disease resistance, and supporting the livelihoods of coffee farmers.

• Increased yields: Clonal coffee varieties are selectively bred to produce higher yields compared to traditional Arabica or Robusta varieties. These high-yielding clones enable Ugandan farmers to grow more coffee on the same plot of land, thereby increasing productivity and profitability per hectare.
• Disease and pest resistance: A major challenge for coffee growers in Uganda is the prevalence of diseases like Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) and pests such as the coffee berry borer. Clonal varieties are developed to be more resistant to these diseases and pests, reducing the risk of crop loss and providing a more stable and resilient harvest. This resistance is especially important given Uganda’s tropical climate, which can promote the spread of these pathogens.
• Adaptation to the environment: Clonal coffee varieties are also tailored to withstand the impacts of changing climate conditions, such as rising temperatures and irregular rainfall. By selecting clones that are more drought-resistant or better suited to Uganda's specific environmental conditions, farmers can achieve greater resilience in their crops.
• Improved quality: Clonal coffee varieties are designed to meet specific quality standards, making Ugandan coffee more competitive in the global market. Enhancements in quality can also open doors to speciality coffee markets, where higher-quality beans can command premium prices, benefiting both farmers and the economy.
• Economic impact: As one of the major exporters of coffee, Uganda relies on clonal coffee farming to help smallholder farmers increase their incomes. As coffee production rises, so too does the economic stability of many rural communities, ultimately reducing poverty and supporting sustainable development goals in the region.

In this project, DGB is mostly working with smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers are individuals or families who manage relatively small plots of agricultural land, often between 1 to 10 hectares, to produce crops primarily for their consumption or to sell locally. In many cases, they rely on traditional farming methods and have limited access to resources like machinery, fertilisers, and financial capital. 

In Uganda, smallholder farmers are essential for crops like coffee, contributing to export revenues. However, they often face challenges such as fluctuating market prices, environmental impacts, and limited access to modern agricultural inputs and credit.

Initiatives such as DGB provide improved coffee variety to plants, training through agronomists on how to grow and maintain the coffee plants, and buying the coffee from the farmers. This will significantly enhance farmers' productivity and income, thus DGB is supporting the livelihoods of rural families.

Agronomists are professionals who are hired to transfer their knowledge to clonal coffee farmers. Before the clonal coffee seedlings are planted, all farmers receive professional training on planting and maintenance practices. The agronomist continues to actively monitor their progress to ensure the level of knowledge is maintained and best agricultural practices are followed for coffee production. 

You lend us money, ranging from €500 to a maximum of €10,000, which we use to distribute clonal coffee seedlings to farmers in Uganda. These seedlings significantly increase coffee yields. DGB purchases the coffee beans from these farmers at a premium price and then sells the beans at a marked-up price. This process not only boosts the farmers' income but also contributes to restoring the ecosystem. Investors will receive returns over a period of four years, with payments made quarterly. After four years, the loan matures, and we will repay the initial investment.