Breaking Barriers: Why Rural Youth Should Invest in Coffee Farming

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

For decades, coffee farming has been stereotyped as a pursuit for the elderly, particularly men. Ironically, many of these older farmers began planting coffee in their youth. However, this stereotype is being challenged by some young people in the rural areas of Ruhango District.

The low participation of youth and women in the coffee sector is a pressing issue. Currently, 53% of coffee farmers are older adults, which poses a risk to the future of this vital cash crop. Coffee is a significant contributor to Rwanda’s economy, generating over $452 million from more than 113,000 tons of exports in the past six years (2017-2023).

The involvement of youth could be a catalyst for increasing coffee revenues in the coming years, yet their engagement remains limited.

During a current nationwide coffee rejuvenation campaign, organized by PSAC with the implementation by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, several young people from Ruhango District shared their reasons for hesitating to invest in coffee farming.

Pauline Yankurije, 25, from Nyabyugi Village in Ntongwe Sector, speaks candidly about the situation.

“My parents don’t grow coffee, but I see its importance from our neighbors. Coffee income helps with school fees, buying food, and more. However, many young people hesitate to invest in it because it takes a long time to yield. They prefer short-term crops like onions and tomatoes, which produce twice a year, while coffee takes over three years.” Yankurije says.

Despite this, she has embraced the message of the coffee rejuvenation campaign, which aims to involve more youth and women in coffee farming.

“We need to understand the long-term benefits of coffee as a cash crop, even if it takes time to yield,” she adds.

Liberee Uwingabire, 24, from Kigoma Village, points out another challenge. “Youth often don’t have access to land, and they view coffee farming as a time-consuming investment. This mindset needs to change.”

Success Stories in Youth Coffee Farming

Despite these challenges, there are success stories among the youth in Ruhango.

Aline Murwanashyaka, 26, began her coffee farming journey in 2017 with just a few trees given by her parents. She has since expanded to 200 trees, and the income from her coffee plantation helped her pay for university, where she earned a bachelor’s degree.

“Coffee farming isn’t just for the elderly,” Aline asserts. “This is a stereotype. I’ve learned from others and decided to embrace coffee farming. I encourage other young people to invest in it as well.”

David Mpagazekubwayo, 25, from Ntongwe Sector, also chose coffee farming despite knowing the long wait for yields. He started with seedlings made from his father’s coffee beans and now has 200 trees.

Ntongwe Sector and the entire Ruhango District are primarily known for cassava farming, which is the major cash crop. Farmers typically sell their cassava to the nearby Kinazi cassava plant for flour production. While the district is also well-suited for coffee farming, most of the coffee trees are over 60 years old, far beyond the optimal 30-year lifespan for productivity.

“Cassava generates income, yes, but you have to replant it every year. With coffee, you plant once and reap the benefits for decades,” he says, adding that he earns Rwf 200,000 each season and aspires to expand his plantation to one hectare.

Collette Mukamana, a young woman in the neighborhood, married into a family with a coffee plantation. She quickly realized the value of the crop and now encourages youth and women to take up coffee farming.

“Coffee farming is not just for the old. Youth need to understand that it can provide income throughout their lives,” she says.

NAEB’s Chief Operations Officer, Sandrine Urujeni, echoes this sentiment, urging young people to engage in coffee farming.

“We have good varieties of seedlings that yield within two to three years. Youth involvement is crucial for the sector’s sustainability. Imagine a crop that can generate Rwf 1 billion per year in one district alone. The ongoing coffee rejuvenation campaign aims to employ and inspire youth and women,” she explains.

Ruhango District, with its four coffee washing stations, is well-positioned to expand its coffee sector.

Jean Marie Vianney Rusiribana, Vice Mayor of Ruhango District in charge of Economic Development, highlights the opportunities for youth.

“We want to increase the arable land for coffee from 200 hectares to 1,800 hectares and boost the yield per tree from 3 to 10 kilograms. Through the PSAC project, we will replace old coffee trees on 435 hectares and rejuvenate 154 hectares. In 2024, we aim to replace coffee plants on 77 hectares and rejuvenate 14 hectares. Youth and women will be central to these efforts.” says Rusiribana.

Ruhango district’s coffee revenues currently stand at Rwf 1.2 billion, but with increased youth participation and strategic initiatives, the district aims to achieve even greater success.

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