§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the main differences in the Regulations in each of the territories of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, respectively, which apply to the European and African growing of coffee.
§ Mr. LytteltonIn Uganda and Tanganyika, where the Robusta variety of coffee is mainly grown, regulations do not differentiate between Africans and Europeans. In Kenya, Arabica is the only suitable variety and since this is much more selective in its requirements of soil and climate, etc., than Robusta it is essential, in the interests of both Europeans and Africans, that its cultivation and preparation for market should be carefully controlled.
Outside the Native Lands coffee may be grown only under licence but a licensing system suitable for large European plantations is impracticable for the regulation of coffee growing by Africans on large numbers of small scattered plots. In the Native Lands, therefore, coffee may be grown only in areas which have been scheduled as suitable for its cultivation and where the Agricultural Department can provide the necessary expert supervision.
All the main potential coffee growing areas have now been scheduled. Any African in a non-scheduled area who can satisfy the Agricultural Department that he has adequate suitable land, the requisite skill and the resources to plant, develop and maintain the plantation of coffee will be permitted to grow it.