Good cup quality, but susceptible to major diseases. Preferred by smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Appearance

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Stature
Tall
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Leaf Tip Color
Light Bronze
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Bean Size
Average

Agronomics

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Optimal Altitude
5°N to 5°S:
>1200m
5–15°N and 5–15°S:
>900m
>15°N and >15°S:
>700m
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Quality Potential at High Altitude
Good
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Yield Potential
Good
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Coffee Leaf Rust
Susceptible
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Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)
Susceptible
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Nematodes
Unknown
information Year of First Production Year Three
information Nutrition Requirement Low
information Ripening of Fruit Unknown
information Cherry-to-Green-Bean Outturn Average
information Planting Density 1000-2000 a/ha (using multiple-stem pruning)
Additional Agronomic Information

Resilient variety (e.g., can cope with low management and adverse environmental conditions).

Genetics

information Lineage Likely Typica-like genetic background.
information Genetic Description Bourbon-Typica Group (Typica-related)
History

One of the oldest Arabica coffee varieties introduced to Africa. The variety originates from Typica introduced to Nyasland (now Malawi) in 1878 from Jamaica. By 1891 there was a flourishing coffee industry in Malawi, but eventually declined because of the marginal climate, which is hotter and drier than is usual for Typica, and because of the high incidence of pests including white stem borer. Inexperienced farmers allowed the plants to overbear in the first years, causing a precipitous fall in yields that ultimately led to the abandonment of coffee in Malawi.

Nyassaland was taken from Malawi to Uganda in 1910, where farmers also struggled with the variety. Early failure led to the widespread planting of Robusta in Uganda. But in recent years, there has been a small resurgence of Arabica growing on the slopes of Mount Elgon, where Nyasaland (locally called Bugisu) is an important variety for smallholders.

Availability

information Breeder None.