KOLCAFE - Smallholder coffee revenue enhancement

Empowering coffee farmers by improving agronomic practices
Sustainable Agriculture
Tanzania

KOLCAFÉ is pursuing an innovative organic farming approach that is designed to increase coffee yields 3 to 5 times through application of manure-based compost, proper pruning and selective harvesting. KOLCAFÉ also integrates in its programme a marketing strategy with tailor-made microfinance. Coffee is the world’s second largest traded commodity (by value) after oil. Demand and prices are predicted to grow, primarily due to emerging middle classes in China and India. The programme will not only improve the quality and selling prices but will also maximise revenue through construction of value-adding infrastructure in the village. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
KOLCAFÉ promotes organic farming practices to conserve water and to reduce the biomass loss and also provides an increased and sustainable income base for the farmers and their families.
  • Providing a sustainable income base for 250 farmers in Nyamuhunga and for 50 to 100 seasonal workers.
  • Organizing training on production skills to improve the product quality and the workers' employability.
  • Promoting organic farming practices to conserve water and to reduce the biomass loss.
  • Contributing to the improved soil quality as a result of extensive manure-based composting.
  • Increasing coffee-related income by 4 to 7 times.
  • Developing farmers’ business skills and understanding of international markets.
  • Providing high-quality micro-finance facilities. 

Partners

This initiative, involving national NGOs and a local research institution, aims to empower coffee farmers and increase coffee production by improving agronomic practices and adding value through building product processing infrastructure and selling products directly to export markets.

Kolping Society of Tanzania (KST) aims to improve the quality of life of the rural poor. They promote rural business initiatives and have trained farmers in over 100 villages.

VSO – Tanzania provides volunteer business and project management expertise to assist the KST in conceptualising and scaling up the project.

Tanzanian Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) will provide technical guidance on the agronomic practices and application of improved husbandry to produce higher yields and quality of coffee.