The SAFE Project represents a major step toward balancing Uganda’s coffee industry growth with environmental conservation. With backing from international partners, the initiative highlights the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture while ensuring compliance with stringent EU market regulations.
In a bid to protect Uganda’s forests while boosting its coffee industry, the Minister for Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, has launched the Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems Uganda (SAFE) Project an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable coffee farming practices and environmental conservation.
Uganda’s coffee farmers are set to benefit from a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation. On Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze officially launched the Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems Uganda (SAFE) Project, which aims to promote sustainable coffee farming while curbing deforestation.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Tumwebaze emphasized the importance of sustainable practices in ensuring Uganda’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“We are thrilled to launch the SAFE Project, which will empower coffee farmers with the knowledge and skills to farm sustainably, protect our forests, and comply with EU regulations,” Tumwebaze remarked.
The project, funded by the German development agency GIZ, the European Union, and the Netherlands, seeks to address the growing threat of deforestation and environmental degradation in Uganda’s major coffee-growing regions. Through farmer training and technical support, SAFE aims to improve coffee quality, boost farmer incomes, and promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Uganda is Africa’s second-largest coffee exporter, but increasing global regulations—particularly from the European Union—require stricter adherence to sustainable farming methods. Tumwebaze highlighted the need to prepare Uganda’s coffee farmers for these evolving market demands.
“Our goal is to ensure that Uganda’s coffee farmers are equipped to compete in the global market while protecting our environment for future generations,” he said.
The SAFE Project will focus on key coffee-growing areas, where smallholder farmers will receive training on sustainable land use, soil conservation, and compliance with international standards. The project also aims to promote agroforestry—a method of integrating trees into agricultural land—to enhance biodiversity and prevent further deforestation.
International Collaboration for Lasting Change
The project’s launch marks a new chapter in Uganda’s agricultural policy, as the government collaborates with global partners to strike a balance between economic growth and ecological sustainability. Representatives from GIZ, the European Union, and the Netherlands expressed their commitment to supporting Uganda’s sustainable development goals.
With the SAFE Project underway, stakeholders remain optimistic that the initiative will transform Uganda’s coffee industry, ensuring its resilience in the face of climate change while securing access to lucrative international markets.
As the project rolls out, coffee farmers across Uganda are hopeful that these efforts will not only safeguard their livelihoods but also preserve the country’s natural resources for future generations.
