Coffee Plantations in Mbale
Coffee Plantations in Mbale are some of the key tourist attractions in Uganda and many companies have added the coffee tour to Uganda Tour itineraries. Coffee is a perennial crop and is one of Uganda’s major cash crops and has also turned out to be a tourist attraction in Uganda. In Mbale, the type of coffee which is grown is the Arabica coffee grown mainly in the highland.
Mbale is located in the eastern part of Uganda and is famous for its coffee which is grown along the slopes of the Mountain Elgon. Other locations in Uganda where Arabica coffee is grown include the slopes of mountain Rwenzori and mountain Muhabura.
Coffee growers in Mbale use fertilizers and other agrochemicals on a minimal level in the plantations. To ensure quality production of coffee in Mbale, the coffee growers use good storage facilities and carry out many other activities such as pruning and weeding.
Inputs in coffee production include land, labor, farm implements, seedlings, mulching, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and transport. The pieces of land which are used for Arabica coffee growing are along the slopes of Mount Elgon where this type of coffee thrives.
The process of harvesting is gradual and the coffee farmers start by picking the ripe berries during the harvesting period. Harvest of coffee in Mbale is done during the months of March, June, and September to November. This coffee is sold to different markets which include the global market and the local or domestic market.
Types of coffee grown
The major type of coffee grown in Mbale is Arabica coffee. Other types of coffee are also grown in different parts of Uganda and they include Robusta coffee.
Process of coffee growing and processing
There are different processes that the coffee goes through right from the nursery beds to the time when the coffee is ready for consumption. The processes include the following;
- Wet processing involves different stages such as removing the pulp, washing.
- Pulping involves the removal of the outer layer of the coffee and separating the pulp and the beans.
- Dry processing involves drying the coffee cherries by the sun which is done on raised stands or mats or mats after harvest. To prevent fermentation or discoloring of the coffee cherries, the cherries are raked frequently.
- Secondary processing involves pre-cleaning, removing stones from the coffee, size grading and also bagging of the coffee.
- Roasting adds flavor to the coffee and is also done during secondary processing. The coffee seeds are roasted at a certain temperature and when they turn to brown this shows that the coffee is ready. There are many ways in which the coffee growers in Mbale roast the coffee and some of the ways used include using saucepans, using coffee roasters among others.
- Grinding adds value to the coffee and it can be carried out by using grinding mills or manually. Some of the manual grinders are attached to bicycles which makes work easier and also increases output. At this stage, the coffee can be sold to the local shops to prepare coffee drinks and this adds value to the coffee.
After all the above processes, coffee is put in sacks and transported to the Bugisu cooperative union where the coffee growers sell their coffee to the cooperative. In order to buy the coffee brought in by the coffee farmers, the cooperative tests the quality of the coffee as well as the moisture in the coffee.
Type of relief in Mbale
The mountainous nature of Mbale, especially around the Mount Elgon areas, has greatly favored the coffee plantations due to the fertile soils and other favorable conditions such as relief rainfall received around this region hence favoring the growth of Arabica coffee.
The local community which stays around the areas where coffee is grown consists majorly of the Bagisu people who are also known as the “Bamasaba”. Tourists who visit the coffee plantations can also interact with the Bagisu and learn about their culture and traditions and many other cultural aspects.
Nearby towns around the coffee plantations include Bududa, Bugema, Busano, Lukhonge, Lwankoli among others.
Other forms of agriculture include subsistence agriculture which is carried out as a supplement by the coffee farmers, especially during the rainy seasons. Food crops such as bananas and beans which are food sources for the households.
Mbale can be accessed from the Kampala- Iganga-Tirinyi-Kamonkoli-Mbale route. The coffee plantations in Mbale can be visited on the way to the Kidepo Valley National Park as tourist learn about the different stages of coffee growing, processing and packaging until it reaches the final consumer.
Experience the flavor of coffee from the Bamasaba land during a visit to the coffee plantations in Mbale.
