Coffee roaster Matthew Algie has launched The Gumutindo Sustainability Project to improve coffee quality and farming practices in Uganda.
Matthew Algie will assist farmers in the Mount Elgon region in eastern Uganda adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
The farmers will be trained in areas such as shade management and soil and water conservation. The initiative will focus on training female farmers to improve gender equality in the region.
According to the company, the initiative will support climate adaptation and also increase capacity and improve coffee quality, providing the farmers with more coffee to be sold at better prices.
The farmers will be helped to obtain Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certifications for their coffees.
Matthew Algie is being supported by a 'six-figure' assistance from the Fair Development Fund operated by UK charity Comic Relief and Sainsbury's. The fund has been set up to support small farmers in developing countries through Fairtrade.
According to Sainsbury, it has been sourcing its coffee from Africa and South America since 2009 as part of Fairtrade.
Matthew Algie will work with Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative and ethical trading organisation Twin for on-the-ground support in Uganda.
Matthew Algie technical director Ewan Reid said: "From simple enhancements such as improved harvesting and coffee cherry processing that will develop the quality of the coffee, right down to buying and roasting the coffee - with a view to Sainsbury's cafés brewing it for their customers- we are looking forward to working with farmers on this exciting new project.
"If Gumutindo can put the best agricultural practices in place we can, in turn, ensure higher yields and improve cup quality, whilst at the same time improving sustainability through climate change adaptation."
