Nyamasheke: Ripple Effect launches Kungahara project to boost coffee farmers’ incomes and climate resilience

By Elias Hakizimana.

Nyamasheke District has received a major boost in efforts to transform the livelihoods of coffee farmers following the launch of the three-year Kungahara Project, an initiative set to benefit 3,773 households in Macuba and Karambi sectors.

The project, implemented by Ripple Effect in partnership with Rwanda Trading Company and funded by Taylors of Harrogate and Peet’s Coffee, was officially launched on March 27, 2026, in Macuba Sector, bringing together local leaders, development partners, and hundreds of farmers.

Designed to address persistent challenges facing coffee farmers, the Kungahara Project will focus on improving food security, strengthening climate resilience, diversifying incomes, and enhancing access to markets and financial services.

Farmers highlight long-standing challenges

Coffee farmers in Nyamasheke, particularly those living around Lake Kivu, have long depended on coffee as their primary source of income. However, many continue to face food insecurity, low productivity, and climate-related challenges.

Felicien Ukurikiyimfura, a coffee farmer from Macuba Sector, said farmers are grappling with soil erosion, lack of timely inputs, and limited access to markets.

“We need support in soil preservation, access to markets, and renovation of our coffee plantations. Many of our plantations are old, and youth are not actively involved in coffee farming,” he said, noting that improved coordination among farmers could also help address information gaps.

Alphonsine Nyirahakizimana, who owns 700 coffee trees, echoed similar concerns, pointing to aging plantations and delayed access to subsidized fertilizers.

“Our trees are old and withering. We need tools and support to renovate them. Sometimes we fail to get fertilizers on time because we lack money upfront. We wish we could receive inputs in advance and pay after harvest,” she said.

She added that access to small livestock would help farmers produce organic manure, improving soil fertility and yields.

Project targets productivity and resilience

According to Theobald Ndayiringiye, the Kungahara Project Manager, the initiative will roll out a range of interventions aimed at transforming coffee farming into a more sustainable and profitable venture.

“These include promoting climate-smart agriculture, supporting small livestock distribution, planting agroforestry trees, improving access to finance, and strengthening farmer organisations that will evolve into cooperatives,” he said.

The project will also introduce environmentally friendly cooking stoves, support land use consolidation, and facilitate market access, while building the capacity of local coffee cooperatives.

Ripple Effect Rwanda Country Director, Angelique Muhoracyeye, said the project is part of a broader strategy to improve rural livelihoods and empower communities.

“This is a significant milestone for us and for Nyamasheke District. Through Kungahara, we aim to help farmers increase productivity, diversify income sources, and better adapt to climate change,” she said.

She added that the project will also focus on engaging youth in agriculture by supporting income-generating activities and involving them in coffee plantation renovation.

Local leaders welcome initiative

Local authorities welcomed the project, pledging full support to ensure its success.

The Executive Secretary of Macuba Sector said the initiative comes at a critical time when many coffee trees are aging and productivity is declining.

“We have over 2.3 million coffee trees in this sector alone, many of which need renovation. This project will help address key challenges such as lack of fertilizers and mindset change among farmers,” he noted.

Jean Marie Vianney Twigenge, Director of Agriculture and Animal Resources in Nyamasheke District described the project as a “significant step” in boosting the local economy and addressing climate challenges.

“This project will support over 3,700 farmers and have a wider impact on communities. It will contribute to economic growth and climate resilience,” he said, urging farmers to take ownership of the initiative.

Scaling impact and investment

Nyamasheke currently produces about 300,000 tonnes of coffee, generating approximately Rwf 30 billion per season. However, officials say this potential is yet to be fully realised due to aging plantations and limited inputs.

Muhoracyeye revealed that the Kungahara Project, valued at £450,000 (approximately Rwf 855 million), will prioritize renovation of old coffee trees, improved fertilizer access, and strengthened partnerships with stakeholders such as Rwanda Trading Company.

“We chose Nyamasheke because it is a high-potential district with clear challenges in income diversification, climate resilience, and nutrition. This project will address those gaps holistically,” she said.

A step toward sustainable livelihoods

The launch of the Kungahara Project marks a new chapter for coffee farmers in Nyamasheke, with expectations that the initiative will not only boost production but also improve household incomes and resilience.

For farmers like Ukurikiyimfura and Nyirahakizimana, the project offers renewed hope that long-standing challenges will finally be addressed, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

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