Gulu farmer earns big from coffee

Bosco Otto, a farmer in Koro sub County in Gulu district earns over Shs 24m from coffee in a year.

Before he began coffee farming, he had always doubted those who said coffee can grow well in northern Uganda.

But that has now changed. Otto is one of the high profile coffee farmers in the region. University students, other coffee farmers and those aspiring to join coffee farming are a regular at his farm in Koro Sub County in Gulu district.

President Museveni is among those who has visited Otto’s farm owing to his success. Otto says he has been growing coffee for the last 15 years.

“Though I was interrupted by the LRA Insurgency, I did not give up because I know farming is the only way to go for a successful future,” Otto said in an interview at his farm.

His mixed farm is located in Abwoch village in Koro Sub County.  Besides coffee, he also plants Matooke and other food crops for his family’s consumption.

How it began

Otto began his coffee farming career with one acre of land. The one care gave him good yields. Otto then planted some cereals and banana stems. Again the yields were good. This motivated Otto to till four more acres of his land.

Said Otto:  “I began with only a few acres but I was impressed because the harvest was always good. This motivated me to interest myself more in farming.’’

With his increased interest in farming, Otto sought help from the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). He was trained by NAADs on coffee and banana farming.

Today, in addition to coffee and bananas, Otto also has 15 cows and 20 goats. His wives help in taking care of the animals.

How he benefits

It is from coffee that Otto has reaped the most. He says he earns 24 million shillings each year from crops. He also earns an additional 8 million shillings a year from selling Matooke in Gulu town and South Sudan.  Buyers look for him at his farm as such he does not incur much in transportation cost.

Otto has managed to build a brick and iron sheet house for his family after many years of staying in a grass thatched hut made from mud and wattle.

Challenges Otto facing

But like every farmer, Otto faces challenges. One of them is how he can impart farming skill in other farmers. He appeals to government to build him a shelter where he can teach farmers and University students who come to his farm. He notes that his farm has become a study centre but he does not have a shelter from where to host his visitors.

“Many University students from Gulu University and other universities come here for studies. Even Secondary schools within Gulu district do come here. I need a shelter,” said Otto. According to Otto, the lack of a shelter becomes worse during the rainy season.

He also appeals to government to help extend electricity to his farm which he said will help him set up a small scale factory.

By Claude Omona