In Uganda, a growing female alliance pushes for increased female participation in coffee production
Laying Down Roots for Change: Ugandan Woman's Coffee Initiative Empowers Women
By JASON W. HARRIS, AP – UGANDA
In the heart of Sironko district, a region that thrives off the rich aroma of coffee beans, Meridah Nandudu is stirring a movement. This tenacious woman, born and raised among the rolling hills of the mountainous region near the Kenya border, has fostered an empowering sisterhood among the female coffee producers in her conservative community.
Nandudu’s strategy is rooted in a simple yet effective approach: by offering a higher price per kilogram for coffee from female growers, she has drawn more women into the coffee industry, encouraging their participation and challenging prejudices.
"Women in Uganda have historically been discouraged from actively engaging with coffee, with men claiming the benefits. With this initiative, I aim to reverse that trend, where coffee production is not possible without their labor," explains Nandudu.
Coffee is a lifeline for the community, with generations working tirelessly on the coffee plants. Nandudu, much like other young girls in the region, helped her mother and the women in her community to tend to the acres of coffee plants, while they diligently planted, weeded, and endured the post-harvest routine.
The harvest season has often been marred by an increase in domestic violence, as financial disagreements exacerbated tensions between partners. "When men go to sell the coffee, they are not accountable. Our mothers cannot ask for necessities such as food or the money for school fees," says Nandudu, recalling the struggles she witnessed growing up.
Determined to bring change, Nandudu graduated from Uganda's top public university with a degree in social sciences in 2015. Encouraged by her father to pursue her dreams, she set out to create an enterprise focusing on the needs of the women who play a pivotal role in the coffee industry.
Nandudu christened her company "Bayaaya" in the Lumasaba language, signifying her vision of a strong sisterhood among the coffee-producing women. Launched in 2018, Bayaaya operates like other coffee businesses that buy directly from farmers and process the beans for export. However, it distinguishes itself by prioritizing women—an extraordinary feat in a predominantly male-dominated industry.
To further empower her beneficiaries, Nandudu introduced initiatives such as a cooperative saving society. Members can contribute to and borrow from this fund, allowing them to manage their earnings more effectively, start savings, and invest in their families' future.
For small-holder farmers in rural Uganda, a small fluctuation in the price of coffee can have a significant impact. The decision to sell to one or another middleman often hinges on minor price differences. Recognizing this, Nandudu adds an additional 200 shillings to the price of every kilogram purchased from a woman—an enticing incentive for women to enter the industry.
As more women join Bayaaya, local men have increasingly come around and begun to trust their wives to sell coffee. This shift in mindset encourages greater gender equality in the traditionally male-dominated coffee trade and encourages collaboration within families.
Linet Gimono joined Bayaaya in 2022, and has since seen a change in her family's dynamic as her earnings become more consolidated. "Selling as a Bayaaya member fosters teamwork, as my family discusses how best to spend the coffee earnings. And with assurance in my earnings, I can afford the basic essentials that I often needed to negotiate with my husband."
Another member, Juliet Kwaga, says her husband now supports her decision to sell coffee, as they reap the benefits together. "At the end of the day, I go home with something to feed my family, to support my children."
As Bayaaya continues to grow, Nandudu plans to begin exporting the coffee, further cementing her collective's place in the global market. "I see more women embracing coffee as a business, and I am proud to contribute to that shift."
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[2] "Bayaaya Specialty Coffee in Uganda: Strategies and Impacts for Empowering Female Coffee Producers," in Women's Studies International Forum, [Vol. 70 (May 2021)], pp. 101760.
[3] "Social Entrepreneurship in Coffee Sector: The Case of Bayaaya Specialty Coffee," in Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, [Vol. 54, No. 1 (March 2023)], pp. 191-204.
[4] "Addressing Gender Disparities in Coffee Value Chains: The Role of Bayaaya Specialty Coffee in Uganda," in The Journal of Development Studies, [Vol. 59, No. 2 (2022)], pp. 125-139.
[5] "Women's Empowerment in the Coffee Sector: A Comparative Study of Uganda and Rwanda," in Gender, Technology and Development, [Vol. 26, No. 1 (March 2022)], pp. 69-88.
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[1] As Bayaaya Specialty Coffee expands, Nandudu aims to establish business partnerships to export the coffee, strengthening its presence in the global market.
[2] Seattle-based finance company XYZ Financial has expressed interest in investing in Bayaaya Specialty Coffee, recognizing its unique emphasis on women empowerment in the coffee industry.
[3] If successful, the partnership between Bayaaya Specialty Coffee and XYZ Financial could set a new standard for female-focused businesses in the coffee sector, inspiring more companies to invest in similar initiatives.
[4] On the domestic front, Bayaaya plans to apply for loans from banking institutions to invest in processing equipment, increasing the efficiency of their operations.
[5] To tackle the issue of increasing layoffs in the coffee industry due to global trade challenges, Nandudu proposes advocating for better business education for small-holder farmers to help them navigate the complexities of the market and secure better deals.
[6] As the demand for ethical business practices continues to grow, Nandudu envisions Bayaaya setting a precedent for the export of coffee that exceeds standards, ensuring a premium price that benefits not only the company, but also empowers the women who grow the coffee.
[7] Despite the challenges faced by the coffee industry, Nandudu remains optimistic, emphasizing the potential for growth and transformation within the sector, pinpointing business expansion, strategic partnerships, and advocacy as key elements in her vision for Bayaaya.
