Licensing Guidlines

1. Purpose of Licensing

Licensing of farmers is intended to:

Ensure traceability of coffee production.
Enforce quality standards at farm level.
Promote sustainability and compliance with national and international market requirements.
Protect farmers against exploitation by unlicensed buyers and traders.

2. Eligibility for Licensing

To qualify for a farmer’s license under UCFRB, an applicant must:

Be a Ugandan citizen or a registered farmer group/cooperative.
Own or manage a coffee farm with verifiable acreage and production capacity.
Use certified seedlings from a UCFRB-approved nursery.
Adhere to Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) as prescribed by UCFRB.

3. Categories of Licenses

UCFRB shall issue licenses under the following categories:

Individual Farmer License – for smallholder farmers cultivating coffee.
Farmer Group/Cooperative License – for organized farmer groups engaged in production and collective marketing.
Commercial Farmer License – for large-scale farmers producing coffee for domestic and export markets.

4. Application Procedure

Applicants shall fill in the prescribed UCFRB Form 1 (Application for Farmer License).
Applications shall include:
- Full name(s) and address of the farmer.
- Location and size of the coffee farm.
- Evidence of ownership or tenancy of the land.
- Number of trees planted and seedling source.
- Records of past production (where applicable).
Applications must be submitted to the nearest UCFRB District Office.
Upon submission, the applicant shall pay the prescribed application fee.

5. Inspection and Verification

UCFRB inspectors shall conduct a farm inspection to verify information provided in the application.
Inspectors shall check for compliance with:
- Seedling certification.
- Plant spacing and field management.
- Harvesting and post-harvest practices.
A report shall be submitted to the UCFRB Licensing Committee.

6. Issuance of License

Where an application is approved, the farmer shall be issued a UCFRB Farmer License valid for two (2) years.
The license shall bear:
- Farmer’s name and registration number.
- Farm location.
- License category.
- Date of issuance and expiry.
The license is non-transferable and must be renewed before expiry.

7. Obligations of Licensed Farmers

Every licensed farmer shall:

Maintain farm records of production and sales.
Sell coffee only to licensed buyers, processors, or cooperatives.
Comply with UCFRB standards for quality and traceability.
Allow UCFRB inspectors access to farms for monitoring.

8. Grounds for Suspension or Revocation of License

A farmer’s license may be suspended or revoked if the farmer:

Plants uncertified seedlings.
Harvests or trades in immature cherries.
Sells coffee to unlicensed buyers.
Uses child labor or violates labor standards.
Fails to comply with UCFRB inspection requirements.

9. Renewal of License

A license may be renewed upon expiry by submitting UCFRB Form 2 (Renewal Application).
Renewal shall be subject to a compliance review and payment of the renewal fee.

10. Appeals

A farmer aggrieved by a licensing decision may appeal in writing to the UCFRB Appeals Committee within 30 days.
The Committee shall review and deliver a decision within 60 days.

These licensing guidelines provide a structured framework for farmer registration, inspection, issuance, renewal, and enforcement to ensure Uganda’s coffee sector remains traceable, sustainable, and globally competitive.

Licensing Handbook

Foreword

The Uganda Coffee Farmers Regulation Board (UCFRB) was established to ensure sustainable coffee production, protect farmer interests, and maintain Uganda’s global reputation for high-quality coffee.

This handbook provides guidelines on licensing farmers and cooperatives, inspection requirements, rights and obligations, and renewal procedures. Farmers are encouraged to read and follow these rules carefully to enjoy full benefits of UCFRB membership and licensing.

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of Licensing

Licensing ensures:

Traceability of coffee production.
Quality control from seedling to export.
Protection of farmers from exploitation.
Compliance with international coffee standards.

1.2 Who Needs a License?

Individual smallholder farmers.
Farmer groups or cooperatives.
Commercial large-scale farmers.

No farmer may legally market or sell coffee without a valid UCFRB license.

SECTION 2: LICENSE CATEGORIES

Individual Farmer License – For smallholders with coffee farms of less than 5 acres.
Farmer Group/Cooperative License – For organized groups engaged in collective production and marketing.
Commercial Farmer License – For large-scale farmers with 5 acres or more, targeting export markets.

SECTION 3: APPLICATION PROCEDURE

3.1 Requirements

Applicants must provide:

National ID or cooperative registration certificate.
Farm location and size.
Proof of land ownership or tenancy.
Number of coffee trees and seedling source.
Records of past production (if any).

3.2 Submission

Complete UCFRB Form 1: Application for Farmer License.
Pay the prescribed application fee (see Section 8).
Submit to the nearest UCFRB District Office.

3.3 Sample Form (Extract)

UCFRB FORM 1: APPLICATION FOR FARMER LICENSE

Name of Farmer/Cooperative: _____________________
District: ____________________ Sub-county: __________
Size of Farm (acres/hectares): _____________________
Number of Coffee Trees: _____________________
Seedling Source: _____________________
Contact: _____________________
Signature/Stamp: _____________________

SECTION 4: INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION

After application, UCFRB inspectors will:

Verify farm location and size.
Check that seedlings are from licensed nurseries.
Inspect spacing, pruning, mulching, and soil conservation.
Assess harvesting and post-harvest handling facilities.

4.1 Inspection Checklist (Sample)

Certified seedlings used
Proper spacing (3x3m or as recommended)
Mulching applied
Pruning observed
Coffee dried on raised beds or tarpaulins
Moisture content at 12–13%
Records maintained

SECTION 5: ISSUANCE OF LICENSE

Approved farmers receive a UCFRB License Card/Certificate.
License validity: 2 years.
Details include:
- Farmer’s name or cooperative name.
- Registration number.
- Farm location.
- License category.
- Date of issue and expiry.

SECTION 6: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LICENSED FARMERS

6.1 Rights

Licensed farmers have the right to:

Access certified seedlings and farm inputs.
Receive extension and training services.
Sell to licensed buyers at fair market prices.
Benefit from government-supported credit and export programs.

6.2 Obligations

Licensed farmers must:

Keep records of production and sales.
Sell coffee only to licensed buyers.
Allow inspectors to access farms.
Avoid child labor and unsafe practices.

SECTION 7: SUSPENSION, REVOCATION & APPEALS

7.1 Grounds for Suspension

Planting uncertified seedlings.
Harvesting immature cherries.
Selling to unlicensed buyers.
Drying coffee on bare ground.

7.2 Appeals

Submit written appeal to UCFRB Appeals Committee within 30 days.
Appeals resolved within 60 days.

SECTION 8: FEES AND RENEWAL

8.1 Licensing Fees (Proposed)

Individual Farmer License – UGX 20,000
Cooperative License – UGX 50,000
Commercial Farmer License – UGX 100,000

8.2 Renewal

Renewal required every 2 years.
Use UCFRB Form 2: License Renewal.
Renewal fee = 50% of original fee if submitted on time.

SECTION 9: SUPPORT & INCENTIVES

Priority access to seedlings and farm inputs.
Training workshops and field schools.
Access to UCFRB credit schemes.
Marketing support for local and export sales.

SECTION 10: CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries, visit the nearest UCFRB District Office or contact:
📍 UCFRB Head Office, Mukajanga House, Kampala
📞 Toll-Free: 0800-567437

📞Phone: +256 397 567331
📧 Email: info@ucfrb.co.ug
🌍 Website: www.ucfrb.co.ug

This Handbook can be printed as a booklet or shared digitally with farmers and cooperatives.