By Guest Writer

For long ,different voices, including from opposition figures, have been raised concerning the public expenditure in relation to the national debt . In one way or another ,the concern was valid due to the fact that there is duplication of roles intended for the same purpose with some ministries and agencies undertaking similar mandates.

That said ,the government had to devise means to reduce expenditure, thus the need for rationalisation or merger of agencies. It’s the merger of UCDA with the Agriculture Ministry that continues to draw mixed reactions. Unfortunately, some people are exuding and advancing sentemnts rather than reason for their stand. Some have taken to tribal identity while others resorted to the coffee politics, albeit without consideration of the actual coffee farmer .

Out of ignorance ,people are coming out to suggest possible reasons for merging . They have shelved the huge public expenditure and advanced reasons that are more of political rhetoric of populists nature, which is an unfortunate, to say the least .

Religious leaders have not been left behind ,I heard Pastor Sserwada’s attempt to take rationalisation as an attempt to make the people poor , poorer, and wondered why coffee farmers and gardens have to be registered. In the technical terms, what he literally meant is called traceability . Avery sensitive aspect in supply chain.

The misleading information, as in the circulating video by the pastor , will have a far-reaching impact on the coffee market /prices going forward if not rebuked. The Pastor wondering why coffee farmers and gardens have to be registered ought to know that it’s an EU requirement for farmers of various products to be registered, including coffee and cocoa farmers .

In the value and supply chain ,it’s now a requirement by the EU for farmers and their gardens to be registered to access the European Market to ensure legal protocols are followed and deforestation free . I therefore find the pastors remarks not only uncalled for but also misleading for farmers can object the imminent registration, thus affecting the market . The first proposal for EU deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) was passed by EU commission in 2022 and became active on 29th June 2023 with implementation by EU members States to apply by 30th Dec 2024 ,how ever Micro and small enterprises are given a window for adaptation until next year June (2025) to prepare for requirements including registration of farmers and their gardens. The danger, therefore, is that people may misconstrue the registrations that are mandatory according to the EUDR on the basis of such remarks made by Pastor Sserwada and others a like .

By and large ,not every should speak for coffee, or else we affect the entire supply chain to the detriment of the very farmers people tend to speak for.

By,Businge Emmanuel DRCC – Fort Portal