In the hills surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, coffee production offers farmers an opportunity to build livelihoods while living alongside one of the country’s most important protected forests.

Limited income opportunities have historically contributed to some community members relying on forest resources for their livelihoods. Today, coffee farming provides an alternative source of income, including for some former poachers who have turned to agriculture.

Bwindi Coffee Growers Cooperative Society brings together 859 farmers, including 205 young people, who grow Arabica and Robusta coffee in the area. For many farming households, coffee income helps cover everyday expenses such as school fees, healthcare and other household needs.

The cooperative operates in a landscape of particular conservation importance. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to endangered mountain gorillas, and the livelihoods of surrounding communities are closely linked to the long-term sustainability of the area. By providing farmers with an opportunity to earn an income from their farms, coffee can contribute to reducing economic pressures on forest resources.

Supporting coffee farmers and protecting the forest

For the farmers of Bwindi Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, coffee is both an agricultural activity and a source of income for their families. Strengthening these livelihoods can help create economic opportunities for communities living alongside the forest, while contributing to wider efforts to protect the surrounding landscape.

The coffee featured in the Progreso auction comes from farmers building their livelihoods around coffee in the communities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.