Coffee farmers in Gakenke District, Northern Province of Rwanda, are celebrating the economic benefits they have gained from cultivating the crop.
Members of the “Twongere Kawa Coko” Cooperative in Coko Sector expressed their satisfaction after their coffee secured 18th place out of 500 entries in a national competition for coffee farmers held last month.
Founded in 2009, the cooperative aims to unite coffee farmers and improve their livelihoods through collective farming. It began with 11 members and has now grown to over 700.
Farmers in the cooperative oversee the coffee production process from cultivation to consumption. The cooperative’s coffee is processed locally and also distributed internationally. Thanks to their professional approach, “Twongere Kawa Coko” has obtained an Export Licence, granting them the right to sell their products on the global market.
Xavier Niyonkwizerwa, the cooperative’s financial manager, said their experience and expertise in coffee farming and processing helped them rank among the top 20 cooperatives in Rwanda producing high-quality coffee.
He added, “Our coffee is unique because it is carefully prepared by women. When a woman dedicates herself to preparing something, she puts her heart into it and does it well. Our coffee has a consistent flavor, which makes it popular among our customers.”
The cooperative has the capacity to process three tons of coffee per hour, producing 115,200 kilograms annually.
Data from 2022 shows that over 89% of Gakenke residents engage in farming, while 80.7% are involved in livestock farming. Coffee in Gakenke is grown on mountainous terrain at elevations between approximately 1,850 and 2,200 meters above sea level.
Other modern cooperatives in the district include “Dukunde Kawa Cooperative” and “Abakundakawa Cooperative.” Nearly 40% of the organic coffee from Gakenke is exported to European and American markets.
