While in Uganda, I asked barista Martin Rogers to help me organize a visit to a coffee farm, but the trip turned unexpectedly dramatic. Not only were the drivers four hours late for what should have been a seven-hour journey, but when I arrived at the farm in the Sipi area, the sight was heartbreaking. The entire plantation was ravaged by leaf rust, and very little had been done to combat the disease. The high costs of maintenance, scarcity of proper materials, lack of adequate fertilization, and limited access to farming training had taken a visible toll on the land and the crops.
Despite the devastating state of the farm, the local children brought a bright light to my day. Their smiles, laughter, and joy shone through even in the midst of poverty. I only wish I had more time to spend in the area and to visit other farms, to better understand both the challenges and the potential of coffee farming in this remarkable region.
Coffee @ Farmer 