Helping Ugandan Coffee Farmers to Reinvest More into Their Own Communities
Your donations support projects that allow farmers to further process their harvest. By further processing their harvest before selling, farmers increase profits, providing them more funds for current and future development work in their own communities.
Their Vision became Our Vision
AgValuAd supports coffee farmers in southwestern Uganda that already have a vision for local development. We are coming alongside existing fruitful efforts to raise the standard of living for their communities, like this school, funded by the farmer and agricultural inputs businessman pictured here.
Our executive director met the lead contact, Abel Ssegirinya, who was visiting the United States to present projects supported by Little Sheep Ministries, a nonprofit that supports local efforts to house, feed and educate vulnerable children, the majority of which are orphans.
When Pastor Ssegirinya expressed a desire for local coffee farmers to capture more of the value chain, in order to expand their local development efforts, our executive director (see Our Board) explained his background in Sub-Saharan smallholder projects and arranged a visit to Uganda.
Empowering Smallholders
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AgValuAd helps smallholder farmers gain broader participation in the value chain, bridging the gap between local farms and global markets.
Local agricultural cooperatives develop into processors and exporters, ensuring sustainable growth for the communities they serve. They gain more of the value of their crops and invest more in their communities.
Members of cooperatives and microfinance organizations partnering with AgValuAd have access to agricultural projects we support.
AgValuAd plans projects, raises funds, and guides implementation.
Our initial projects will focus on irrigation and sorting coffee beans by size and color. These projects have short implementation periods, significant impact on earnings, and short payback periods.
Synergistic Partnership
In Lwengo District, we met with a SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization) that functions both as a Savings and Loan, and as a Farmers' Cooperative. It helps farmers with financing and training.
AgValuAd will provide funds to Lwengo Community Development (LCD SACCO) to loan to participating farmers who will use the buildings, equipment and supplies financed through loans from LCD SACCO.
LCD SACCO will vet, train, and advise the participants in the project.
LCD SACCO Ag Extension
LCD SACCO has a strong team of agricultural extension agents who work with local farmer members to help ensure their success. They are available both at community meetings and on the farm.
Learning is disseminated in both directions to the benefit of the local farming community, as the agents incorporate what they learn to their training and the farmers share tips and experiences with one another.
The Opportunity: Robusta
As Arabica yields decline around the world, the demand for Robusta as a premium coffee bean is increasing. Robusta's origin is Uganda.
Irrigation and tighter parameters for drying have been shown to add crispness to the already full and mellow taste of Robusta. Irrigation will also increase the yield of Robusta beans.
Our initial focal points for the coffee farmers in the Kinoni area will be:
- membership in LCD SACCO
- dissemination of best practices, including drying methods
- irrigation system that supports a large farm or several smaller farms
- bean sorting building and equipment
Irrigation should increase crop size by at least 25% and improve bean quality. Larger farms could pay off the investment with the first year's increase. A practical solution for sharing costs will be developed for smaller farms.
Sorting coffee beans should increase their price by at least 20%. Investment in building and equipment can be paid off in 180 days at 50% capacity.
Our board
Robert Leon serves as Executive Director of AgValuAd. Bob has an extensive international background in supply chain and value chain, beginning in the chemical industry in Europe and the USA, before transitioning to smallholder agriculture value chain development in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has led two successful value chain projects related to cashews, one on each side of the continent.
Stephen Spengler serves as President of AgValuAd. Steve was formerly the CEO of Intelsat, a global telecommunications company with a core mission of expanding access to broadband services in rural areas of developing countries, driving educational, economic and social development for the millions of people who accessed the internet for the first time. Steve was personally involved in the project with the Uganda Communications Commission that connected village communities to the internet.
Robert Wormald serves as Vice President of AgValuAd. Bob is an owner and managing partner of the Wormald Companies, with 45 years of experience in the building industry. He also serves as a director of the Wormald Family Foundation which has funded a range of projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, including education and clean water.