FEATURED: How Japan is strengthening coffee value chain in Rwanda

In an effort to bolster the coffee industry in Rwanda, Japan has been funding projects aimed at improving the coffee value chain. One such project is the “Project for Strengthening and Promoting Coffee Value Chain in Rwanda (CUP2)” which represents Japan's flagship project in agriculture and signifies the deepening of development cooperation between Japan and Rwanda. Pilot cooperatives for this project include KOPAKAKI, KOAKAKI, and ARABICA, located in Karongi, Kirehe and Ruhango districts, respectively. The second phase of the project, which started in October 2021, is set to run until October 2026. It has a budget of $4.5 million, building on the success of its predecessor, CUP1, which ran from May 2017 to May 2020 with a budget of $1.5 million. Speaking during a press tour, on March 7, in Karongi district where KOPAKAKI cooperative operates, Isao Fukushima, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda expressed his satisfaction with the progress made during CUP1 and the positive impact it had on the cooperative. He also noted how phase two (CUP2) is facilitating further improvements in production, quality control, and marketing, as well as knowledge sharing with other coffee cooperatives. The ambassador praised the dedication and hard work of the farmers and stakeholders involved in the project and expressed optimism for the future of the Rwandan coffee industry. “Agriculture is one of the four Japanese ODA priority areas in Rwanda. With this project, Japan is supporting Rwanda’s efforts to achieve SDGs and Vision 2050,” he said. Fukushima also emphasized that CUP 2 is expected to increase the recognition of Rwandan coffee in the international market, to develop production models to produce high and profitable green coffee and to establish strong linkages among a wide range of stakeholders in the coffee value chain. Eric Ruganintwali, the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Division Manager at National Agricultural Export, said that working with Japan is an excellent means of increasing Rwanda's visibility on the Japanese coffee market, as Japan is one of the world's main importers of coffee. Ruganintwali stated that Japan is among the top three countries that pay good prices for Rwandan coffee, and both the quantity and quality of coffee exported to Japan have increased over the years. He emphasized that they want to work with Japan to increase the value of coffee in the country, not only to be sold in Japan but also in other countries worldwide. Ruganintwali urged coffee farmers to take care of their crops and appreciate the quality of their produce by tasting it, which will enable them to make more money. In 2022, he said, Rwanda benefited from over $75 million from coffee exports, which is an increase from the previous year's $60 million. Vestine Mukarutesi, the Mayor of Karongi district, praised the positive impact that coffee farming has had on the livelihoods of farmers in the district, enabling them to earn money and acquire different necessities. Mukarutesi encouraged farmers to continue cultivating coffee, but also to consume it themselves, as it is easy to prepare and roast. She revealed that in 2022, the KOPAKAKI cooperative produced 588 tons of coffee, a significant increase compared to previous years. She expressed her gratitude to the Japan Embassy and JICA for their contributions in improving the coffee value chain in the district and throughout the country. Bonaventure Munyeshema, the President of KOPAKAKI cooperative, said it has a membership of 1264 individuals – 709 men and 555 women. The cooperative's primary objective is to enhance the quality and quantity of coffee production. Munyeshema said that through the project, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aided them in attracting more than 80 young individuals to take up coffee cultivation, which was previously the reserve of older people. The project included training on farm management to ensure good yields with high-quality production. Additionally, Munyeshema said, staff capacity building, such as repopulation of old trees, pest and disease management, post-harvest management, quality control through cupping and roasting training, and marketing, are among the things KOPAKAKI benefitted from the project.

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FEATURED: How Japan is strengthening coffee value chain in Rwanda