Bushika Area Cooperative Enterprise ACE Named First Runner Up at the 2024 Coop360 Innovations Award

In March 2024, https://www.uhuruinstitute.org/innovations-award/’s https://coop360network.com/ launched the first-ever Coop360 Innovations Award, a pioneering initiative aimed at identifying, recognizing, and celebrating the most innovative cooperatives across Uganda. The awards were introduced to foster creativity, boost competitiveness, and strengthen the resilience of cooperatives in the face of evolving challenges.
Among the standout participants, Bushika Area Cooperative Enterprise (ACE) was honored as First Runner-Up in the 2024 edition, recognized for its forward-thinking and environmentally sustainable innovation.
Their Winning Innovation:
1. The Forest Garden Approach – This technique involves cultivating a forest-like ecosystem within coffee plantations. By integrating carefully selected tree species, the approach creates a natural canopy that shields coffee crops from extreme sunlight during dry seasons and provides protection from heavy rains during wet periods. The shade trees also contribute organic matter to the soil, enhancing fertility and supporting long-term sustainability in coffee production. #CoopsInnivate