The Netherlands has committed €4.9 million (approximately UGX 19 billion) to help Ugandan coffee farmers comply with the European Union’s Anti-Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) before the December 31 deadline. The funding, channeled through the GIZ SAFE project, will support smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable, transparent, and legal coffee production practices.
The EU’s new regulations require coffee and cocoa producers to ensure their products are traceable and not cultivated in deforested areas. Europe remains Uganda’s top coffee export market, with an annual trade value exceeding $800 million.
Urgency of Climate Action
Joost Van Ettro, Head of Development Cooperation at the Netherlands Embassy in Uganda, emphasized the urgent need for responsible farming. "The risk of erosion and climate change is real—it is happening right now. Deforestation is not just a concern for Europe, but also for Ugandan farmers and the government. We must ensure that coffee farming does not contribute to environmental degradation," he said.
Dutch Government’s Commitment
"The Dutch government has committed €4.9 million through the GIZ SAFE project to help small coffee farmers in Uganda comply with the EUDR. This funding will promote sustainable, transparent, and legal farming practices that protect Uganda’s invaluable forests while improving the livelihoods of agriculture-dependent communities," Gerald Kyalo, Assistant Commissioner for Coffee Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) noted.
Farmer Mapping Initiative
To ensure compliance, the Ugandan government is working with partners to digitally map coffee farmers across the country.
"So far, we have mapped over 800,000 farmers with support from ABI. With additional government efforts, another 750,000 farmers are being mapped under a new contract signed by the Minister of Agriculture. This brings the total to around 1.6 million farmers, ensuring they meet sustainability standards," Kyalo revealed.
Kyalo said the funding will also help farmers adapt to climate-smart agricultural practices, ensuring that Uganda maintains its position as one of the leading coffee exporters to the European market.
