As Uganda's government launched a nationwide campaign to increase coffee, cocoa, and banana production in order to combat poverty, farmers in Katakwi district were encouraged to embrace commercial farming, particularly coffee growing, as a new way to boost household incomes.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), seeks to alleviate poverty in the district by promoting long-term, high-value cash crop production.

However, in Katakwi District, local leaders are rallying farmers to embrace commercial agriculture, particularly coffee growing. Rapheal Ojakal, District Councilor for Usuk, emphasized that the unveiling of the perineal crop is the country's top cash crop, which will help people's incomes.

While speaking with Usuk residents, Ojakal, who also serves as Secretary for Education, Health, and Social Services, mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that scientific tests have proven that Teso soils are exceptionally rich and suitable for coffee growing.

He emphasized that after two years of flowering, the farmer will begin harvesting money, noting that with the variable price of coffee, particularly Arabica coffee, which ranges between Ugx 14,000 per kg and Ugx 18,000, a farmer can earn more than Ugx 8 million per acre, lifting farmers out of poverty and into middle income.

Furthermore, he emphasized that Teso farmers have traditionally relied on cash crops such as groundnuts, cotton, and cassava to help lift their families out of poverty, but he is now encouraging farmers to adopt commercial farming because it significantly increases household income.

However, he praised the government's efforts to implement various wealth creation programs such as PDM, cattle restocking, youth livelihood, and the return of NUSAF 4 but emphasized the importance of properly utilizing such government programs in order to overcome poverty.

Mike Maliro, Senior Agricultural Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries' Coffee Department, recently stated that the perineal crop is the country's top cash crop, emphasizing that coffee currently accounts for approximately 20% of Uganda's export income, and that with increased farmer engagement and government support, the region has the potential to become a major agricultural growth hub.