Climate Change threatens Elgon coffee legacy as young female farmers upskill for economic survival

29 August 2026, 6:51 pm

By Shadrach Bethel Afayo

Small-scale young women coffee farmers across the Elgon subregion are undergoing an intensive two-week upskilling program designed to combat climate-induced agricultural declines and systemic economic challenges.

The initiative, dubbed Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs Stimulated by Coffee (EYE-C), focuses on equipping female farmers with practical knowledge and technical skills in managing high-value, drought-resistant coffee crops and implementing modern agronomic practices. Mbale and the surrounding districts have experienced a severe reduction in seasonal rainfall over the past two years, accompanied by rising ambient temperatures and erratic weather patterns.

Historically recognized as one of Uganda’s primary production hubs for high-altitude Arabica coffee, a crop that accounts for vital national export earnings, the region’s agricultural output has suffered significantly. National climate studies indicate that temperatures across Uganda have risen by roughly 1.3°C over the past century, while annual rainfall has dropped by about 5% over recent decades, severely stressing vulnerable Arabica crops.

Shifting climate dynamics have increased moisture stress during critical flowering stages, accelerated pest infestations like coffee leaf rust, and reduced overall harvest yields, threatening the livelihoods of smallholder families in a country where women face disproportionate labor burdens alongside female youth unemployment rates that remain consistently higher than their male counterparts.

The EYE-C program is being implemented through a joint partnership between the Elgon Ebenezer Young Mothers Organization and the Bugisu Cooperative Union. Together, these entities aim to empower 300,000 young women to access sustainable economic opportunities, build professional dignity, and generate consistent income across every stage of the coffee value chain.

Sandra Woguti, the founder of the Elgon Ebenezer Young Mothers Organization, emphasized that this two-week training platform is essential for restoring the heritage and agricultural prominence of a region that was once Uganda’s undisputed leader in specialty coffee production.

“I am truly honored and glad to be facilitating this two-week upskilling program under the EYE-C Program,” Woguti stated. “EYE-C means Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs Stimulated by Coffee. It is a powerful and timely initiative that uses coffee, Uganda’s black gold as a tool to transform lives. Our big vision is to empower 300,000 young women to find opportunity, dignity, and income across the coffee value chain.”

Throughout the two-week workshop, the curriculum will move beyond basic farming techniques to address systemic barriers faced by women in agriculture. Training modules will dive deep into practical agronomy, value addition, financial literacy, mindset change, and digital skills. Participants will learn advanced soil conservation practices, water retention strategies, post-harvest handling, and digital tools to track market prices and weather patterns. By combining climate-smart farming with business education, the initiative seeks to foster financial independence, develop leadership capacity, and position young women as decision-makers within their communities.

Woguti noted the explicit target area of the workshop, highlighting that “For these two weeks, we are diving deep into practical skills, entrepreneurship, mindset change, value addition, and digital literacy. This is not just about coffee; it is about confidence, independence, and creating young women who can lead, employ others, and change their communities.”

Closing the knowledge gap in climate adaptation is seen as a critical step toward rebuilding resilient supply chains and safeguarding the economic future of the Bugisu subregion.