In the heart of Uganda, the Banyatereza Sisters are transforming their agricultural landscape with a visionary project aimed at fostering sustainability and community collaboration—welcome to the Banyatereza Coffee initiative. Spearheaded by the Sisters’ Agricultural Development Program (ADP), this initiative redefines land use, turning it into a self-sustaining resource that generates income for our Institute.
For years, we have explored ways to leverage our land while investing in sustainable projects that require minimal ongoing investment. In our strategic plan for 2014-2019, coffee was identified as a promising venture. So far, we have successfully planted 34 acres of coffee, capitalizing on its status as Uganda’s most popular cash crop.
Recognizing the potential of coffee cultivation, we partnered with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) to access valuable resources and expertise. Additionally, we harness the skills gained from the African Sisters Education Collaborative/Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (ASEC/SLDI), which has empowered us to manage this venture effectively.
The primary goal of the Banyatereza Coffee project is simple yet impactful: to increase coffee production and ensure a sustainable income for the Institute.
Our objectives include:
- Generating Sustainable Income: Creating reliable income through increased coffee yields.
- Community Engagement: Strengthening ties by providing free coffee seedlings and technical support to local farmers.
- Land Conservation: Protecting our Institute’s land from encroachment through community collaboration in coffee cultivation.
- Volume Expansion: Supporting local farmers in pooling resources and marketing their coffee through the sisters to boost overall production.
- Pastoral Outreach Strengthening: Enhancing outreach programs through the coffee project’s administration, benefiting both the community and the Banyatereza Sisters.
I am profoundly grateful to ASEC for equipping me with essential financial management skills. This training has been crucial for our initiatives’ success. As the Banyatereza Sisters continue to brew change in our community, we foster agricultural sustainability and inspire others to consider the social and economic impacts of their efforts. Our journey reflects a commitment to empowering our Institute and surrounding communities—a testament to social enterprises.
Long live ASEC!
