TIPS ON ESTABLISHING A PROFESSIONAL COFFEE PLANTATION THAT WILL GIVE YOU BETTER RESULTS

[KUNIHIRA Albert]

TIPS ON ESTABLISHING A PROFESSIONAL COFFEE PLANTATION THAT WILL GIVE YOU BETTER RESULTS

Coffee is UGANDAs #1 Cash crop since the 1980s, and Uganda Africa's Top Exporter since 2025. Uganda recorded its highest-ever coffee export earnings in the 2024/2025 financial year, generating USD 2.2 billion (approx. USh 8.8tn) from 8.2 to 8.7 million bags, and this is expected to rise to 20 million bags in 5 years ahead.

Uganda Commercially produces 2 major coffee varieties, Mainly Robusta as a lower altitude crop thriving well between 900-1,500m above sea level, and Arabica Coffee thriving well at higher altitudes between 1,300-2,300m above sea level making Ugandan coffee to possess the best qualities due to a high altitude, soils, and farming systems that cannot be easily found elsewhere in the world.

BELOW FIND TIPS ON HOW TO ESTABLISH A PROFESSIONAL COFFEE PLANTATION

1. SPACING: The spacing between Robusta plants is 3x3m standard density (450 PLNATS APER ACRE), medium density 3x3m (674 PLANTS PER ACRE) and 2.5x2.5m for Arabica coffee (647 plants per acre)

2. HOLE SIZE: Recommended Coffee planting holes are 2x2ft (depth 2ft & width 2ft),

PLEASE NOTE: While digging holes: heap the top soil on one side and lower red soil on another side.

3. MANURE: Add manure to the dug-out black top soil, mix it well and return it into the holes.

Mark the center of the holes and leave them for 2 – 3 months before planting.

4. AUTHENTIC/CERTIFIED SEEDLINGS: Procure coffee plantlets from Certified Coffee Nurseries.

5. TIMELY PLANTING: Ensure early planting at the onset of the first rains, best time to plant is in the evening when soils have cooled down.

6. POTTING BAG REMOVAL: Remove the polythene pot cover before planting the seedling/cutting.

7. WATERING: Provide temporary shade to the newly planted coffee plantlets and water in case of water stress. Water conservation channels/bands are important in coffee.

8. PLANTATION NURTURING:

When the coffee plantlets have attained a height of about 11/2 foot or 6 – 9 months after planting, they should be trained (bent in an east to west direction i.e. sunrise to sunset direction) to initiate multiple branches from which the lowest and most healthy 2 are selected and maintained together with the original plantlet. This ensures higher yield and profitability per tree.

9. MULCHING: The coffee garden should always be mulched and “weed free”. Plantation mulching helps in water conservation, soil moisture conservation, soil erosion control, weed control etc

10 INTERCROPPING: Legumes e.g. Beans, Gnuts, soya beans and bananas are good intercrops for coffee.

11. COFFEE SHADE TREES: Shade trees protect coffee trees from heavy wind, rain, and sun irradiance. These benefits are especially helpful in environments less favorable to sustainable production. For example, proper shade trees can buffer coffee trees from prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures.

12. HARVESTING: At maturity, harvest only the red-ripe cherry and dry it immediately on tarpaulins, raised platforms or cemented floor to preserve its good quality.

For more details and UCDA Documents downloads on Commercial coffee farming, kindly visit visit https://greeninguganda.com/Products/Coffee_Growing  OR visit us at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.520727844760077&type=3