Teso Economic Agenda, Cajila Africa Links Institute Launch Coffee Symposium to Bridge Knowledge Gap in Coffee Farming.

By Skika Reporter.

The Teso Economic Agenda, in partnership with Cajila Africa Links Institute, has announced the inaugural Teso Coffee Symposium, an initiative aimed at closing the information gap that has slowed the growth of coffee farming in the Teso sub-region.

The symposium, scheduled for August 15, 2026, at the Soroti City Mayor’s Garden, is being organised in collaboration with the Iteso Cultural Union, Soroti University, and other partners.

Organisers say the symposium is intended to equip farmers with accurate and practical knowledge on coffee production, following concerns that many growers lack adequate information on the recommended coffee varieties suitable for Teso, modern farming practices and opportunities across the coffee value chain.

The forum will bring together farmers, farmer groups, scientists, researchers, extension workers, coffee exporters, financial institutions, policymakers, agribusiness leaders and development partners to share knowledge and provide technical guidance that will enable farmers to invest in coffee with confidence.

According to the organisers, many farmers in Teso have either abandoned coffee cultivation or experienced poor yields because they planted unsuitable varieties or lacked access to proper agronomic advice.

The symposium, therefore, seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical farming by providing farmers with evidence-based information from coffee experts and experienced practitioners.

Participants will receive training on the entire coffee production process, including land preparation, selection of recommended coffee varieties, nursery establishment, planting, soil fertility management, climate-smart farming practices, pest and disease control, irrigation, pruning, harvesting and post-harvest handling.

Beyond production, the symposium will also expose farmers to the complete coffee value chain, covering processing, value addition, quality assurance, packaging, marketing, financing, and export opportunities.

Organisers believe that understanding the full value chain will enable farmers to earn better returns from coffee rather than focusing only on production.

The symposium also aims to connect farmers with certified seedling suppliers, researchers, extension service providers, financial institutions, processors and exporters, creating partnerships that will support sustainable coffee production and market access.
Organisers say the initiative is part of a wider campaign to promote commercial coffee farming as a tool for increasing household incomes, creating employment opportunities and revitalising the economy of the Teso sub-region.

In addition to technical presentations, the event will feature exhibitions on coffee seedlings, processing technologies, irrigation systems, soil testing services, mechanisation and value-added coffee products, allowing farmers to interact directly with industry experts and service providers.

Farmers, cooperatives, processors, exporters, nursery operators, scientists, development partners, government agencies, cultural institutions, and other stakeholders in the coffee sector have been invited to participate.

The organisers say the symposium will mark the beginning of a long-term knowledge-sharing programme, with similar training and awareness campaigns expected to be rolled out across all districts in Teso to strengthen farmers’ capacity and build a competitive coffee industry founded on informed decision-making and sustainable agricultural practices.