The Kalehe Arabica Coffee Cooperative, founded in 2013, was born as a movement to resolve the local economic crisis by increasing quality and thus farmer income. It has since grown to include over 3,400 members, most of whom are small-holder farmers in and is supported by a team of 14 agronomists responsible for providing training in sustainable agricultural practices to enhance coffee quality and production.

A Farmer’s Story 

Steven Kanane Rusangwa is president of the board of directors for the cooperative. His father is a coffee grower and in 2004, Steven began to take an interest in the dynamics of agricultural development. Steven has been at the forefront of innovation in his community.