The Rwandan government has aimed to generate US$157mn profit by 2017 from coffee exports by advising farmers, processors and exporters to work together
According to the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) director general, George Kayonga, Rwandan farmers and co-ops have seen profits for more than 10 years now.
“We want all such people to form an association which will help create better communication in the coffee sector,” said the Kayonga during a recent workshop.
Rwanda’s profits from coffee declined, generating US$60.9mn in 2012 and around US$74.6mn in 2011, Kayonga said.
“With the incomes brought in, you will then be able to buy fertilizers plus other needed requirements which will still contribute to your development,” stated Corneille Ntakirutimana, the director in charge of Production at NAEB.
“In 2000, Rwanda's first coffee cooperative earned around US$0.20 for one kilogramme of regular-quality coffee," Ntakirutimana said.
“Fast-forward 11 years the same co-op earned US$3.50 per kilogramme.”
The government has set a target of producing 24,000 tonnes of coffee by end of 2013.
