Africa coffee output still low—Kalua

The Africa Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) has said Africa’s coffee output remains low despite the continent having favourable conditions for growing the crop.

AFCA chairperson Harrison Kalua said this in Mzuzu when he opened a week-long coffee farmers certification capacity building meeting.

AFCA, whose headquarters is in Uganda, is a grouping of coffee organisations in Africa.

The group aims at ensuring that African farmers grow quality and certified coffee.

Kalua, who is also chief executive officer for Mzuzu Coffee Planters Cooperative, said despite having all necessary conditions, Africa’s coffee production remains dismal.

He asked farmers to adopt new strategies to boost the production of the crop in the country and Africa as a whole.

“Africa only produces 15.6 million 60kg bags of coffee, Asia 39.5 million, Mexico 20.1 million and South America 59 million. You can see that Africa is far behind and there is need to jack up,” said Kalua.

He wondered why this is the case when the continent has more land, good climate and cheap labour.

AFCA, which does not condone child labour in coffee growing, wants its members to grow certified coffee.

“In future, farmers who do not produce certified coffee may not find market,” he said.

He encourage as many people as possible to grow coffee, saying the crop provides steady income.

“Even if a farmer dies, children continue to reap the benefits,” said Kalua.

AFCA project manager Filtone Sandando said the organisation will continue raising awareness on challenges facing coffee.

He added that they are lobbying countries to put coffee on their development agendas.