The Government has intensified its drive to transform household incomes in the Teso Sub-region with the launch of a large-scale distribution of coffee, banana and cocoa seedlings aimed at promoting commercial agriculture and reducing poverty.
Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo officially launched the programme at Katakwi District Headquarters on Saturday under the theme, “Coffee for Wealth Creation and Household Commercialisation.” The initiative forms part of Uganda’s broader strategy to increase national coffee production to 20 million 60-kilogram bags annually by 2030**, with millions of improved seedlings being distributed to farmers across the country.
The campaign targets all 11 districts of the Teso Sub-regionโKatakwi, Soroti, Kumi, Bukedea, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Serere, Ngora, Kalaki and Kaberamaidoโand follows a similar rollout recently launched in the neighbouring Bukedi Sub-region.
Addressing farmers, Resident District Commissioners, district leaders, agricultural extension workers and political leaders, Vice President Alupo emphasized that Uganda’s economic transformation depends on shifting households from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
“We cannot transform households through lamentation or speeches. We must have focus and a clear plan to improve our earnings,” she said.
Alupo noted that although Teso has long depended on crops such as cassava, groundnuts, sorghum, potatoes and cotton, many families continue to struggle with poverty because of low financial returns from these crops.
“Teso has relied on cotton alongside cassava, groundnuts, sorghum and potatoes, but these have not delivered the desired results in poverty eradication. It is time to embrace the money economy through commercial agriculture,” she added.
The Vice President called upon local leaders, agricultural extension workers and other stakeholders to champion the programme by providing farmers with the technical support necessary for successful coffee, banana and cocoa production.
She revealed that Government plans to distribute **more than 80 million coffee and cocoa seedlings across the region to stimulate commercial production and improve household incomes.
Recognising the growing impact of climate change, Alupo encouraged farmers to adopt simple irrigation technologies to sustain perennial crops during prolonged dry spells.
“Coffee, bananas and cocoa require adequate moisture, especially during flowering. Farmers should embrace simple irrigation methods, including the use of bottles, to conserve water and improve production,” she advised.
Ministers Reaffirm Government Support
Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze assured farmers that Government remains committed to supporting agricultural transformation through the provision of quality planting materials, extension services and continuous technical guidance.
He urged district leaders, particularly Local Council V chairpersons, to strengthen monitoring of government agricultural programmes to ensure intended beneficiaries fully benefit.
“Our leaders must work together to monitor government programmes. Extension workers must diligently perform their duties so communities can change their mindset and eradicate poverty,” Tumwebaze said.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sanjay Tanna pledged continued government support in securing markets for farmers’ produce, stressing that agriculture should be treated as a profitable business capable of transforming livelihoods. 
“We shall continue supporting farmers by expanding market opportunities. Agriculture should become a business that transforms livelihoods, not simply a means of producing food,” he said.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang , who also represents Ngariam County in Parliament, called on leaders across Teso to set aside political differences and unite behind the region’s development agenda.
“The differences of the past are behind us. Let us unite and spend the next five years spreading the message of wealth creation instead of politics and division,” Ogwang urged.
Leaders Call for Climate Adaptation and Value Addition
Katakwi District LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Omolo , who also chairs the Teso LCV Chairpersons’ Forum, welcomed the introduction of coffee farming but appealed for greater investment in climate adaptation measures to help farmers cope with changing weather patterns.
Kasilo County MP Peter Paul Emaju urged the Ministry of Agriculture to support value addition initiatives and increase seedling distribution for farmers who have already embraced coffee cultivation.
Meanwhile, Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot , the cultural leader of the Iteso, welcomed the programme and encouraged households to take advantage of perennial crops as a sustainable pathway to prosperity. He also appealed for increased government investment in agricultural research and seed multiplication institutions within the region.
Operation Wealth Creation Reaffirms Commitment
Representing the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Commissioner Sylvia Damalie Owori said the programme remains committed to improving household incomes through increased agricultural productivity.
She revealed that Operation Wealth Creation has so far distributed over 700 million seedlings to more than 1.2 million households across Uganda as part of the Government’s national wealth creation agenda.
“Coffee remains one of Uganda’s leading cash crops. Through Operation Wealth Creation, we have distributed more than 700 million seedlings to over 1.2 million households to improve incomes and transform livelihoods,” she said.
Owori encouraged district leaders and stakeholders to continue sensitising communities on the benefits of commercial agriculture to ensure maximum participation.
Farmers Welcome the Initiative
Farmers in Katakwi welcomed the programme, describing it as a timely intervention that will enable households to diversify their sources of income.
One of the beneficiaries,Lilian Amunge, said the introduction of coffee, banana and cocoa farming presents a valuable opportunity for families to improve their livelihoods and build long-term economic resilience.
With millions of seedlings set for distribution and continued technical support from Government, the initiative is expected to accelerate agricultural commercialisation in Teso while contributing to Uganda’s ambitious target of producing **20 million bags of coffee annually by 2030.
