Coffee getting less support

COFFEE is a major cash crop for Southern Highlands and cannot be abandoned, says Undiri Coffee Investment Ltd chairman Francis Wata.
Wata said the newly-introduced cash crop potato would soon make small holder farmers abandon their coffee gardens to concentrate on potato.
He said coffee was an important source of income for the rural-based population.
“Due to lack of support by previous governments, people abandoned their coffee gardens,” he said.
“But the concept of productive partnerships in agriculture projects (PAPP) was to support coffee and cocoa smallholders in market access and improve performance.”
Wata said this made farmers return to their coffee gardens and support was given.
He said more funding support was needed from the province.