The Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) has launched a registration initiative for its member coffee farmers to meet international demand for Arabica coffee and comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
BCU General Manager, Barbra Wasagali, made the announcement on Monday morning while introducing a team of 20 individuals trained by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA). This team will carry out the registration process over a 20-day period, covering selected primary societies.
Wasagali highlighted that the team underwent a week-long training and is well-prepared with the necessary resources to gather accurate data from farmers.
Matia Mugerwa, an extension officer at UCDA, elaborated that the registration will help establish a comprehensive database and traceability system for farmers, improving coffee quality by assigning specific geo-locations to each. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with global standards set by the EUDR, which aims to ensure a deforestation-free supply chain for commodities like coffee, cocoa, and palm oil.
Mugerwa warned that non-compliance with these standards could harm Uganda’s coffee sector, given that the European Union is a significant export market.