Best coffee farmers rewarded

Huye Mountain Coffee Factory has recognised 744 coffee farmers for producing best quality coffee. The ceremony was held in Huye District, last week, in the presence of area coffee farmers, buyers, partners and government officials.David Rubanzabagabo, the director of Mountain Coffee, said the factory recognises coffee farmers who produce good quality coffee for the factory.“Without you, we would not have reached this far. We won a coffee cup of excellence award because of you. We want you to continue and be good examples in your areas,” he said.Huye Mountain Coffee factory started in 2011 and won a coffee cup of excellence last year.The best coffee producers were given certificates, livestock and agricultural produce, along with a bonus of over Rwf4 million.Speaking to The New Times, the deputy Director General in-charge of production at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Corneille Ntakirutimana, said the recognition was designed to motivate farmers to maintain the quality of their coffee as well as increase production.He told the famers that working in cooperatives is key to improving quality and helping one another.“They are selling quality not quantity, there is need to work in cooperatives to learn from one another,” he said.Ntakirutimana said NAEB is establishing schools in farmers’ localities to help them increase their farming skills.Faustin Nkurikiyimana, a resident and coffee farmer in Simbi Sector, Huye District who was recognised as the best coffee producer said growing coffee has improved his life.“I am happy to receive this award. A cow means a lot to me. It shows that being a coffee farmer is a blessing,” Nkurikiyimana said.“Coffee production has transformed my life. Using proceeds from coffee, I have built a residential house worth Rwf5 million and I have other properties.”This is the second time Huye Mountain Coffee is recognising coffee farmers in the district.All awards were estimated at Rwf9 million.