Abanya-Rwenzori Farmers’ Cooperative Union Limited (AFCU)

Cooperation proposal

AFCU are seeking strategic partnerships that strengthen their value chain, specifically:

1. Off-take agreements with European coffee roasters and chocolate manufacturers to secure premium markets;
2. Technical collaborations to implement climate-smart irrigation and organic certifications; and
3. Financial partnerships through matching grant schemes to scale our processing capacity and support our network of 5000 out-grower farmers.

Offering

Abanya-Rwenzori Farmers’ Cooperative Union Limited (AFCU) is a dedicated agricultural enterprise based in Bundibugyo district, Western Region, Uganda, specializing in the commercial production and value addition of Arabica and Robusta coffee and cocoa. They work with over 5000 small hold farmers, in a network of three cooperatives of smallholder out-growers to enhance productivity and market access.

• Primary Production: High-quality coffee and cocoa beans, managed under sustainable, shade-grown conditions.
• Nursery & Inputs: Provision of elite, disease-resistant seedlings and organic fertilizers to their farming partners.
• Post-Harvest Services: Fermentation, drying, and grading facilities to ensure premium quality standards for the export market.
• Expertise: Deep technical expertise in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Their management team has over 15 years of experience in Ugandan agronomy, specifically in integrated pest management and soil health restoration. They are committed to traceability and maintaining rigorous quality control protocols aligned with UCDA, DDA and Organic standards.

Markets and customers

The customers so far have been mostly locals but the producers aim to increase coffee production in line with finding buyers abroad.

Additional information

AFCU is comprised of the following member societies:

• Semliki Cooperative Society Limited (SCS)
• Bughendera Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited (BCF)
• Busamba Agricultural Producers Cooperative Society Limited (BAC)