Bigambwensi Deogratius: A Coffee Farmer's Growth in Rubirizi

Bigambwensi Deogratius is a coffee farmer from Omukabare B Village, in Rubirizi District, South-Western Uganda. He has been cultivating coffee since 2004, but like many smallholder farmers, he faced challenges such as pests, diseases, and low prices from middlemen, which limited his productivity and income.

In 2023, Kawacom Uganda Limited, as part of the Ugandan Smallholder Livelihoods Initiative, began working with farmers in Omukabare with support from the USAID Africa Trade & Investment (ATI) Program. The project, in partnership with organizations like ECOM Agroindustrial Corporation, aims to sustainably boost Ugandan exports of coffee and sesame by improving farming practices, expanding market access, and facilitating certifications like Organic and Rainforest Alliance (RA).

In Omukabare, Kawacom provided training to 101 farmers, including 43 women, on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), certification standards, and post-harvest handling techniques. Mr. Bigambwensi found the training particularly valuable. This practice has helped him achieve better prices for his produce.

"I have learned proper harvest and post-harvest handling, including bulking my coffee to sell at once... With my continued participation in this project, I will plant more coffee on the new land I purchased and focus on the practices that have improved my yields," said Mr. Bigambwensi.

The training and support from Kawacom have had a positive impact on the community. The percentage of farmers in Omukabare selling their coffee directly to Kawacom increased from 18% in 2021 to 61% during the 2023-24 main season, allowing more farmers to benefit from Kawacom's competitive prices. These efforts align with the project's success in reaching over 9,996 MT of coffee and sesame purchases from smallholder farmers in a recent quarter, valued at $23 million.

For Mr. Bigambwensi, the benefits of these improvements are clear. With 47% of his household income now coming from coffee sales, he uses his earnings for home improvements, school fees for his children, and reinvestment in his farm.

Certification has been a key focus of the project, helping farmers like Mr. Bigambwensi meet international standards and secure premium payments. With the Organic and Rainforest Alliance certifications, Mr. Bigambwensi’s coffee meets the quality requirements for export to markets like the United States and Europe. Certification efforts are a significant part of Kawacom's strategy, contributing to over 38,000 farmers certified as of late 2024.

Kawacom’s support is part of a broader effort to strengthen Uganda’s coffee supply chain and improve livelihoods through targeted interventions. By focusing on quality practices, certifications, and market linkages, the Ugandan Smallholder Livelihoods Initiative has enabled farmers like Mr. Bigambwensi to overcome challenges, access new markets, and secure a more stable income.