Farmers From Uganda And Wales Convene To Discuss Shared Challenges Of Climate Change And Sustainability In Mountainous Regions – CoffeeTalk

Farmers from Gwynedd, Wales, and Uganda recently convened to address shared challenges encountered in mountainous agricultural regions. Teleri Fielden, a policy officer with the Farmers’ Union of Wales, represented Welsh farmers, while Jenipher Sambazi, a coffee farmer and the face of the Welsh coffee brand ‘Jenipher’s Coffi,’ spoke on behalf of the Ugandan farming community. Jenipher emphasized the persistent threat of climate change, stating, “Climate change is a threat we live with on a daily basis.”

The discussion highlighted the unpredictable incomes and increasingly severe weather patterns affecting both regions, notably the rising incidence of pests that endanger crops. Teleri Fielden, who produces “biodiversity beef and lamb” and sells them directly through a subscription service with her husband, echoed these concerns, noting the parallels in the difficulties faced by farmers across diverse environments.

Jenipher, who serves as the vice-chair of the Mt Elgon Agroforestry Communities Co-operative Enterprise (MEACCE), elaborated on the efforts of the 3,000 Fairtrade and Organic farmers within her cooperative. They utilize agroforestry techniques to cultivate specialty coffee while maintaining a symbiotic relationship with nature. This approach includes significant tree planting, which has multiple benefits such as soil stabilization, critical in the face of heavy rains that otherwise risk soil erosion and jeopardize agricultural viability, homes, and lives.

Ffion Storer Jones, co-founder of Jenipher’s Coffi, coordinated the exchange and emphasized the universal pressures faced by farmers. She articulated the importance of solidarity and bold actions to support farmers worldwide, asserting that a fair price can fundamentally alter their circumstances, a lesson drawn from her own farming background.

Emma Jones, a facilitator of Wales’ Climate Farm Demo Project and participant in the exchange, remarked on the sobering insights gained from Jenipher regarding the vulnerability of Ugandan farmers to climate change impacts. She underscored the critical need for support in adapting sustainable practices that ensure food security in an increasingly hostile climate.

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