Systemic transformation in the coffee sector begins with farmers and through partnerships rooted in local trust, global ambition, and measurable climate impact through agroforestry transition.
That’s the reasoning behind this strategic partnership with Ankole Coffee Producers Cooperative Union (ACPCU) in Uganda. The partnership sets in motion the conversion of up to 5,000 coffee farmers and 5,000 acres of land from degraded monocultures into syntropic, Nature-Growing agroforestry systems.
But this isn’t just another project. It’s a cornerstone in a growing mosaic of GrowGrounds-led change across Uganda.
A Shared Vision for Regeneration
Under the newly signed agreement, ACPCU will lead farmer selection, training, and on-the-ground implementation. GrowGrounds will manage the overall project framework, carbon methodology, certification under the Gold Standard, and digital tools for EUDR-aligned geo-mapping and monitoring.
This ensures that the coffee transformation does not just stay local but connects to international carbon markets, sustainability targets, and climate finance mechanisms. From 2026 to 2028, the farmers will be trained in regenerative coffee practices and directly benefit from Planned and Verified Emission Reductions (PERs and VERs), providing a new income stream alongside improved resilience and productivity.
Part of a Broader Push in Uganda
While this project stands on its own feet, it is part of a wider GrowGrounds commitment to Uganda — a country that holds enormous potential for climate-smart coffee cultivation.
Alongside this new collaboration with ACPCU, GrowGrounds is:
- Engaged in an ongoing field study in Equatoria in partnership with Equatoria Farms, investigating farmer needs and readiness for agroforestry adoption;
- Project partner in APCCO (The Agroforestry Paradox – Climate Clever Coffee), an ambitious research initiative led by University of Copenhagen and Makerere University, exploring pathways to unlock regenerative coffee value chains for Uganda’s 1 million Robusta-farming households;
- Supporting business and academic partners in building inclusive carbon finance models, climate adaptation strategies, and digital decision-support tools for agroforestry adoption.
Together, these initiatives signal a growing platform for transformation – not just in isolated projects, but as an ecosystem approach to reshaping Uganda’s coffee sector.
A Call to Action for Companies and Investors
The time to act is now. Climate stress is hitting coffee hard. Prices are rising. Productivity is falling. And monoculture farming continues to undermine both biodiversity and farmer livelihoods.
This project with ACPCU offers a scalable, transparent, and impact-proven model for businesses and investors seeking to turn Scope 3 climate strategies into nature-positive, traceable outcomes.
🌍 Want to link your coffee procurement with verified climate action?
📩 Reach out to explore how your business can be part of the solution.
Photo: John Nuwagaba, General Manager ACPCU, Poul David Videbæk, founding partner GrowGrounds, and Derick Komwangi, Projects Officer ACPCU LTD.
