In 2004, Gakenke coffee growers formed a cooperative to work together and boost production of the cash crop in their district.

However, for the past 10 years, the farmers, through their Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, had to bring their harvest to Kigali to have coffee beans processed to the second stage before they could be exported.

The farmers had a washing station but the second step in coffee processing, which is to remove parchment, was done at factories in Kigali.

This, the farmers say, was a hindrance as it consumed more money and time.

"It was hard to take our coffee beans to Kigali to process,” said Anastase Minani, the cooperative’s president.

He said for a kilogramme to be processed, farmers would pay between Rwf40 and Rwf50 and it cost the coop at least Rwf30 million per year, including transport.

"With our processing plant, we will be able to save that money and use it to expand our plantations and it will also help us ensure quality because in some cases the process did not go well at the plants in Kigali and we had nothing to do about it,” he said.

Minani said that having their coffee processed from Gakenke will save more time.

Gakenke coffee farmers have over the years ranked among the best producers going by the performance at the different Coffee Cup of Excellence competitions that have been held in the country annually.

The factory, located in Ruli Sector, was constructed at $257,000 (about Rwf250 million) with a $87,000 loan from Root Capital Bank, a partner with the farmers in doing business.

Minani believes that having coffee prepared to the level of international market standards would help members boost the quality of coffee and keep the momentum to keep emerging among the best.

Last year, Minani said, they exported over 130 tonnes, but this year, he is optimistic the produce will go up to 180 tonnes.

Farmers say the coffee has attracted many international buyers and is sold in Australia, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and US, among others.

"We also have a laboratory where our coffee will be tested by the clients,” Minani said

The factory has capacity to process between two and three tonnes a day.

Wensisilas Mbyariyehe a coffee farmer said having the coffee prepared home will increase earnings not only for the members but also other coffee farmers in the area.

Deogratius Nzamwita, Gakenke mayor, welcomed the development but urged the farmers to work hard and boost the production to accelerate the development of the district.editorial@newtimes.co.rw