Zombo Agricultural Expo Opens, Showcasing Innovations and Coffee Export Opportunities

By Mike Rwothomio

The three-day Zombo Agricultural Trade Show and Coffee Conference 2026 has officially kicked off at Kyambogo University Paidha Campus playground in Paidha Town Council, bringing together a sizable number of agricultural development partners, exhibitors, farmers, government institutions and other stakeholders to showcase agricultural innovations and explore business opportunities.

The event, running from November 11–13, 2026, is expected to feature exhibitions of different agricultural products, a coffee conference, demonstrations of modern farming technologies, agricultural knowledge-sharing sessions and cultural performances showcasing the diversity of the Alur, Kebu, Lendu, Madi and Lugbara communities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Maria Goretti N. Musoke, officially opened the event after inspecting well-organised exhibition tents showcasing a wide range of agricultural products and commodities.

Zombo District Production Officer Dr Walter Kumakech said the three-day event would provide an opportunity for farmers and other agricultural players to showcase their products while sharing knowledge on improved agricultural practices.

“The three days will see the showcasing of different agricultural products, a coffee conference and cultural dances,” Dr Kumakech said.

LCV Chairperson James Oruna Oyullu expressed satisfaction with the encouraging turnout of development partners on the opening day, describing their participation as an important boost to the district's agricultural transformation agenda.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Juliet Cheptai welcomed the exhibitors and development partners, saying the event was aligned with the district's development priorities of improving household incomes through agricultural value addition and adoption of improved farming practices, alongside ongoing government interventions.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Bruno Mananu assured participants of security throughout the exhibition, noting that the initiative supports President Yoweri Museveni's drive to transform agricultural production and improve household livelihoods.

Coffee production and value addition are expected to dominate discussions, with Zombo District targeting an increase in annual coffee exports to approximately 61 metric tonnes within the next five years.

The district has about 9,500 hectares under coffee cultivation, although current productivity remains low at an average of 0.1 kilogramme per tree. Authorities are targeting an increase to three kilogrammes per tree through improved farming practices, quality seedlings, fertilisers, extension services and better post-harvest handling.

According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Zombo exported 5.6 metric tonnes of parchment coffee in 2026.

The coffee conference is expected to examine challenges affecting the coffee value chain, including production, quality management, processing, marketing and access to reliable markets.

Beyond coffee, the exhibition will showcase key agricultural commodities including bananas, Irish potatoes, tea, cassava, honey, horticulture, aquaculture, dairy products and small ruminants.

Farmers will also interact with agricultural researchers, financial institutions, agro-input dealers, processors, exporters and potential investors to explore partnerships, modern technologies, market access and opportunities for value addition.

The event is being held under the theme: “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Agro-Industrialization and Market Linkages for Wealth Creation.”

Day two of the three-day event will feature a major coffee conference at Paidha Cultural Centre in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, with Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries expected to attend as the chief guest.

The trade show is intended to position Zombo as an emerging agricultural and coffee production hub in the West Nile sub-region.