Gakenke’s Coffee Cooperatives Achieve National Recognition and Growth

In Gakenke District, Northern Province, Rwanda, coffee farmers are celebrating significant financial success thanks to their dedication to coffee cultivation. Members of the “Twongere Kawa Coko” Cooperative in Coko Sector expressed pride after their beans ranked 18th out of 500 entries in a recent national coffee competition.

Founded in 2009 with just 11 members, the cooperative has grown substantially and now includes over 700 farmers. Its inception aimed to unite small-scale coffee growers to strengthen their collective bargaining power and improve their livelihoods.

The cooperative manages the entire coffee value chain—from farming and processing locally to exporting internationally. Thanks to their professionalism and quality standards, Twongere Kawa Coko has obtained an export license, allowing them to access global markets.

Niyokwizerwa, the cooperative’s finance manager, attributes their high-ranking position among Rwanda’s top 20 high-quality coffee producers to their extensive experience in farming and processing. He emphasizes that their success is also rooted in the crucial role women play in coffee preparation, as their care and consistency enhance the product’s appeal to customers.

With a processing capacity of three tons per hour and an annual production of approximately 115,200 kilograms, the cooperative has established itself as a major player in the industry.

Data from 2022 underscores agriculture’s importance in Gakenke: over 89% of residents are engaged in farming, and 80.7% also raise livestock. The coffee is cultivated at altitudes between approximately 1,850 and 2,200 meters above sea level, a key factor contributing to its distinctive quality.

Other cooperatives, such as “Dukunde Kawa” and “Abakundakawa,” are also thriving. Nearly 40% of Gakenke’s organic coffee is exported to Europe and the USA, showcasing the district’s growing reputation in the international coffee market.

By Libos NDAYISHIMIYE