Coffee Farmers in Bulembia Division, Kasese District have been awarded certificates in Coffee Enterprise Management and Corporative Management after completing a phased training conducted by Natural Resources Defense Initiatives (NRDI) on Monday 30th January 2023.
According to Edgar Muganzi the Executive Director NRDI, Coffee value chain is one of the alternative livelihood activities being funded by the World Bank in conjunction with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) in the Upstream Nyamwamba as an income generating activity while in a bid to protect and conserve the outbursts of the River that has for long caused havoc to the natives.
He explained that in order to support this, Government has contracted NRDI to construct three Coffee processing facilities in the Sub Counties of Mbunga, Kyanzuki and Kibandama.
He added that a total of five cooperatives from the Sub counties of Kibandama, Mbunga, Kyanzuki and Bulembi Division have been trained within six months in coffee value chain.
“We have trained these cooperatives on local economic development so as to boost their House hold income and every aspect we have trained on is hinged on Environmental
protection and conservation,” says Muganzi.
The Team Leader for Albert Water Management Zone at the Ministry of Water and Environment Mr.Guma Brian Emmanuel explained that Government has contracted consultants to make sedimentary analysis on River Nyamwamba for a lasting solution against seasonal devasting floods and among the activities is
Planting trees along the River Banks, training farmers about the acceptable farming practices along the River Banks and engaging natives who leave adjacent to River Nyamwamba in Alternative income generating activities in a bid to control constant flooding.
“I argue farmers to utilize the skills they have attained from the training amicably so to increase on their house hold income as well as protecting the environment for long lasting solutions.”