UCDA VOWS TO DEAL WITH FARMERS TRADING IN IMMATURE COFFEE

By Domisiano Ayebare

www.mknewslink.com

In Sheema/Bushenyi

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96 bags of immature coffee Cherries belongings to traders were yesterday impounded in Bugongi Sheema district by authorities.

The truck which was carrying the coffee to Ntungamo district was impounded and the traders with their coffee brought to Uganda Coffee Development offices in Bushenyi so that they could sort out green cherries from red ones.

Addressing the press, Robert Museveni, the regional coffee extension officer for Bushenyi and Sheema districts strongly warned farmers and traders that whoever is caught trading in immature coffee will be arrested and dealt with as per the laws.

He said that the impounded bags of coffee contained 60% of green cherries which is far beyond the standard of their targets.

Museveni warned farmers and coffee dealers to desist from harvesting immature coffee so as to compete in the world market and regional market in Mombasa.

He noted that the quality of Ugandan coffee at the world market is farfetched from the quality levels needed adding that this has been partly attributed to traders mixing in green cherries to increase the quantity.