BY ABDALA MASEREKA
The Ministry of Local Government has granted a letter of “No Objection” to Agri- Evolve, an organization dealing in buying and processing coffee for export in Kasese district.
Located in Kinyankoko I Cell in Kisinga Town Council, the company in 2019 requested the government to grant it permission to lease the piece of land on which it is operating for a period of 49 years.
Yesterday, the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magezi visited the company to assess its readiness and subsequently accepted the request.
He assured the gathering consisting of local and district leadership and farmers that he would soon write a letter to Kasese District Local Government directing the Chief Administrative Officer to issue an official document granting the request of the said company to lease 21.7 acres of land on which it is operating.
Hon. Magezi applauded Jonathan David Rowland, the Director for Agri-Evolve for considering the establishment of a company in Kisinga and Kasese district at large which he said would not only enhance coffee market but also offer employment opportunities to the residents both skilled and semi-skilled.
He, however, appealed to the coffee farmers to uphold good harvesting rules and guidelines including harvesting red cherries and hulling well dried coffee beans qin order not to compromise the quality.
He encouraged the farmers to double their production given the availability of market. According to him, the thieves should not scare the farmers since government was committed to arresting whoever engages in such a crime.
In his remarks, the Kasese Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Paul Walakira, appealed to the farmers to use the money earned from the sale of coffee to educate their children, plan for the development of their respective families and improve their livelihoods,
The Town Council Chairperson, Mr. Doviko Thembo commended Agri-Evolve for improving the production of coffee through its Extension Workers who train the farmers about the best practices as far as coffee production is concerned.
He also revealed that the company had saved many farmers from exploitative money lenders through its initiative of offering loans to them.
He was happy that the company employs 300 seasonal workers and 100 permanent employees hence reducing the challenge of unemployment among the population especially the youth.
Jonathan David Rowland, the Team Leader at Agri-Evolve reported a challenge of a blame game between the farmers and middlemen for allegedly compromising the quality of coffee.
According to him, there should commitment and consistence of all stakeholders in ensuring that the quality of coffee is not compromised so that the cash crop attracts higher prices.
ENDS