Coffee agroforestry has sustained communities on Mount Elgon for generations. Today, these systems are changing, raising urgent questions about the future of livelihoods, nature, and climate.
On Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, coffee agroforestry has been the backbone of local communities’ economies since colonial times. A local saying goes “if you don’t grow coffee, you are really poor”.
Coffee provides crucial cash income, while trees and other crops supply food, firewood, and building materials. The lush mountain slopes of Mount Elgon may appear green and well-preserved at first glance, but behind the scenes, pressure on natural resources is growing. Local people observe many changes in agroforestry systems.
The AfPEC project investigates how coffee agroforestry can contribute to strengthening nature, climate, and livelihoods in Uganda. The project combines research with practical collaboration with coffee farmers.
The AfPEC project is supported by Danida and coordinated by Anne Mette Lykke, Ecoscience, with participation from seven partners from Denmark and Uganda.