In August 2026, we were delighted to officially launch our first project through the SSNUP Programme.
Working in partnership with Ugandan coffee co-operative Banyankole Coffee Services (BCS), this project focuses on the coffee value chain in Uganda, where coffee is central to the rural economy and provides income for around 1.7 million households. Most producers are smallholder farmers cultivating less than 0.5 hectares.
This 18-month project aims to increase the climate resilience of 300 coffee farmers, with targeted activities to address the growing vulnerability of coffee farmers to climate change.
Key activities will include:
- The provision of training in agronomic practices, watershed management and agroforestry skills.
- The establishment of three demonstration farms for the accessible provision of farmer training.
- The delivery of monthly radio broadcasts.
- The purchase of a solar dryer to reduce post-harvest losses by 30%.
Elaborating on the activities of this project, Judith Mugero, Project Officer, said:
"Watershed management involves conserving and sustainably managing land and water resources to improve water retention, reduce soil erosion, and maintain healthy watersheds. Through the project, this will support water availability during dry periods and create a more resilient environment for coffee production. The integration of agroforestry and fruit trees will provide shade for coffee, support productivity, and diversify household livelihoods, with fruits available for both household consumption and sale in local markets."
Initial project activities have included the recruitment of an Agronomist and training consultant to support with activity implementation, site selection for the three demonstration plots, the completion of a baseline survey and delivery of the first weather forecast radio announcement deigned to provide farmers with relevant information to support decisions on crop management and climate related risks.
The project is currently preparing for the next phase of implementation. An agronomy training session has taken place in September and BCS is undertaking procurement of fruit trees, coffee seedlings and agricultural inputs.
Further weather forecast messaging covering crop nutrition and pest management is planned for October, while the three demonstration plots will be established during the October rainy season to facilitate practical farmer learning and application of climate-smart practices.
Expanding on the delivery of monthly radio broadcasts, Judith told us:
"Radio broadcasts are particularly valuable because community radio is one of the most accessible sources of information for farmers in the target area. The monthly 10–15-minute broadcasts will combine timely weather information with seasonal, climate-smart coffee farming advice encompassing, for example, land preparation and planting, crop nutrition, pest management and field management practices such as mulching and weeding.
Linking weather conditions and forecasts to these recommended activities will help farmers make timely decisions and better prepare for climate-related risks. Radio Sheema has been identified as the proposed station for reaching farmers across Sheema District."
Explaining the need for the project, Lauben Karubaija, General Manager of Banyankole Coffee Services, said:
"Our farmers are increasingly experiencing irregular rainfall, prolonged dry periods, high temperatures, soil erosion, declining soil fertility, pests and diseases and unpredictable flowering and harvest seasons. These challenges are made worse by loss of trees and vegetation, deforestation, soil and water management and changing weather patterns.
The small holder farmers who depend heavily on coffee for livelihoods, climate change is therefore not only an environmental challenge but directly affects coffee productivity, household income and food security."
Shared Interest and SSNUP
At the end of 2025, Shared Interest Society was welcomed as a partnering impact investor for SSNUP’s current implementation phase until 2029. In this capacity, Shared Interest will support SSNUP’s objectives of increasing the resilience of smallholder farmers and attracting more private sector investments in agriculture in Africa and Latin America.
Sally Seddon, Shared Interest Partnership Manager, said:
“Joining SSNUP comes at a very exciting time for Shared Interest as we aim to align the work of Shared Interest Society and Foundation more closely together. Participating in the programme gives us an ideal opportunity to build our knowledge and expertise in providing finance and technical assistance as a package to customers."
The 10-year SSNUP programme is funded by Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, meanwhile, Appui au Développement Autonome is responsible for coordinating the SSNUP programme and overseeing knowledge management.
Image below: BCS farmer, Beebwa Joseph Baryamutuha, picks coffee cherries on his farm in Uganda.
