ECOTRUST staff and board members visited the Kyarumba Banywani Farmers Association in Kasese district on September 15, 2023. During the visit, the farmers shared their progress and future plans for developing their community group.

The association outlined their five-year development strategy, which focuses on growing their membership, increasing coffee production for export markets, and planting more trees to support the environment. They also plan to upgrade their facilities by building a proper office and improving transportation for their coffee harvests. While they face difficulties like unpredictable weather and local political issues, the group remains determined to achieve these goals.

A key part of the visit was reviewing how the farmers used the UGX 25 million grant from ECOTRUST. The funding has helped them invest in better coffee processing equipment and farming techniques, leading to improved quality and higher profits. ECOTRUST Executive Director Pauline Nantongo Kalunda commended the group’s achievements and recognized Winnie Namwirya, the Rwenzori Programme Coordinator, for her ongoing support of the farmers.

Henry Kule, the association’s chairman, expressed his appreciation for ECOTRUST’s assistance, explaining how it has transformed their coffee operations. The ECOTRUST team toured the farmers’ processing facilities, which were established with the organization’s support, and discussed ongoing challenges like market access.

The visit concluded with a lively performance by the Kyarumba Banywani Women’s Choir.