Nyagatare: farmers learn the value of Coffee, commit to expanding cultivated land

Coffee farmers in Nyagatare District say they now fully understand the benefits of growing coffee. Unlike other crops, which often sit in storage waiting for harvest, coffee provides them with steady income as they can sell their produce immediately after harvest.

In a bid to increase coffee farming, this planting season will see 700 hectares dedicated to coffee, up from the current 1,728 hectares. Just five years ago, coffee was grown on only 87 hectares.

In Kiyombe Sector, 250,000 coffee seedlings have been distributed to farmers, with Matimba receiving 300,000, Rwempasha 170,000, and Tabagwe 150,000.

Claudine Nyirangaruye, a coffee farmer committed to expanding her coffee plantation, explains that coffee has been a life-changer, yielding her about 10 tons of coffee cherries each season.

Nyirangaruye mentions that coffee has safeguarded her from hunger. While other crops may sit unsold at home, coffee allows farmers like her to generate income consistently, preventing food insecurity.

“I have over 7,000 coffee plants, and now I’m adding more to increase my yield. Usually, we face hunger here in April, but with coffee, that doesn’t affect us, as we’re harvesting and earning from our coffee,” she said.

Diogène Habakurama from Kiyombe Sector shares that before growing coffee, his family struggled due to poor harvests of other crops, which forced them to sell quickly for cash, often leading to food shortages.

Today, he plants food crops for household consumption, while coffee brings in the income needed for other expenses. He mentions that coffee farming has allowed him to send his children to school, with one even preparing to attend university.

“Since I started growing coffee, things have visibly improved. My children are getting an education, some learning vocational skills, while others are in primary and secondary school, and my eldest will soon start university, all thanks to coffee,” he added.

A resident from Nyagatare Sector, who started growing coffee last season, says he was encouraged to try it and is confident it will bring him returns in the future.

Nezerwa Issa, the official in charge of cash crops in Nyagatare District, notes that coffee is particularly viable in the region, where it thrives under the intense sun. This has led them to prioritize expanding coffee farming, while also promoting other cash crops like beans, chili, and avocado.

Nyagatare District currently has three coffee processing plants located in Kiyombe, Mukama, and Gatunda sectors, processing up to 1,200 tons of coffee per year.