Coffee farmers in Pachwa Town Council, Kagadi District have raised concern over the increasing theft of coffee cherries from their gardens, saying the practice is causing significant financial losses and threatening household incomes.

Pachwa Town Council Agricultural Officer Murungi Denis said his office is receiving a growing number of complaints from farmers whose coffee is being stolen from their gardens.

Murungi said he receives at least two farmers a day seeking assistance over coffee theft, describing the situation as a growing concern among producers in the area.

He urged farmers to strengthen security around their gardens and adopt measures to safeguard their coffee, particularly during the harvesting season when the crop is most vulnerable to theft.

Murungi also appealed to coffee buyers to ensure they obtain produce from legitimate farmers and avoid purchasing coffee from individuals suspected of dealing in stolen produce.

He said responsible buying practices could help discourage the theft of coffee and protect farmers from losses arising from the illegal trade.

The agricultural officer further encouraged farmers to promptly report cases of theft to local authorities to enable investigations and appropriate action against suspected offenders.

Coffee remains an important source of income for households in Pachwa Town Council, making the protection of the crop critical to improving farmers' livelihoods and supporting local economic activity.