Promoting an Integrated Approach to Climate Adaptation: Lessons from the coffee value chain in Uganda

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Makerere University (MAK) examines the impacts of climate change on the coffee value chain in Uganda. Based on a 2013 pilot initiative using 'climate dialogue theatres,' the document argues for an integrated approach to climate adaptation that moves beyond the production level to include processing and marketing. It identifies systemic vulnerabilities, including a lack of trust between actors and a critical gap in agricultural financing, and recommends strengthening partnerships, developing flexible financial products, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.

• Climate hazards, specifically drought, floods, and changing rainfall patterns, negatively impact every actor in the coffee value chain. These hazards cause physiological disruptions to coffee trees, increase pests and diseases, and damage processing and transport infrastructure. While all actors are affected, vulnerability is most concentrated at the production end, as farmers and processors often have limited diversification and organizational capacity.
• Many value chain actors have implemented risk management measures, but some are unsustainable or counterproductive. While some use environmental or technological solutions, other responses involve transferring losses to other actors. Examples of unsustainable practices include farmers purchasing expired, low-quality inputs for quick cash, traders using inaccurate scales or adding foreign objects to coffee, and processors smuggling coffee from neighboring countries.
• Climate adaptation is hindered by a significant lack of communication, information exchange, and trust among the interdependent actors of the coffee value chain. The chain is fragmented by numerous intermediaries, leading to mutual distrust; for instance, farmers blame input suppliers for adulterated chemicals, while exporters attribute low coffee quality to a lack of ethics and discipline among other actors.
• Limited access to agricultural finance is a cross-cutting barrier that exacerbates the impacts of climate hazards for all actors. Total agriculture lending by regulated financial and microfinance institutions declined by 21.6% between 2007 and 2010. High interest rates (12% to 36%) and a lack of start-up capital or insurance prevent farmers from investing in irrigation and processors from protecting their infrastructure.
• To foster a climate-resilient coffee sector, the document recommends three priority actions: improving networking and partnerships to shorten the value chain and increase farmers' bargaining power; developing flexible financial products such as weather index insurance and integrating climate risk into the Warehouse Receipt System; and prioritizing investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, including roads, irrigation, and storage facilities.

APA

Dekens, J., & Bagamba, F. (2014). Promoting an Integrated Approach to Climate Adaptation: Lessons from the coffee value chain in Uganda. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/value_chains_coffee_uganda_briefing_note.pdf

Chicago

Dekens, Julie, and Fredrick Bagamba. Promoting an Integrated Approach to Climate Adaptation: Lessons from the coffee value chain in Uganda. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2014. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/value_chains_coffee_uganda_briefing_note.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dekens |first1=Julie |last2=Bagamba |first2=Fredrick |title=Promoting an Integrated Approach to Climate Adaptation: Lessons from the coffee value chain in Uganda |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=February 2014 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/value_chains_coffee_uganda_briefing_note.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dekens2014promoting, author = {Dekens, Julie and Bagamba, Fredrick}, title = {{Promoting an Integrated Approach to Climate Adaptation: Lessons from the coffee value chain in Uganda}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2014}, month = feb, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/value_chains_coffee_uganda_briefing_note.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }