Case study:
Life-changing Results from Good Agricultural Practices, Rwanda
Over the past four years, C. Dorman Rwanda and ECOM SMS have implemented a sustainability program aimed at improving the quality of life and living conditions of coffee smallholder farmers through well-designed and organized training in GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) and Certification.
The coffee yield increased from 1.5 kg to 3 kg per tree as 3,691 farms became certified on both C.A.F.E Practices and Rainforest Alliance standards. The 3,691 farmers were paid the premium from certification last year of 10 RWF/kg of coffee cherry produced.
During an SMS training session, farmers gave their testimony regarding their improved living conditions over the past four years. Mr. Jean supplied photos of his new house, built from coffee harvest earnings.
Additionally, a new wastewater management system was implemented to stem a challenging environmental risk to their operations. Polythene-lined pits surrounded by elephant grass, and a treatment by activated electro-magnetization and lime, created an effective solution to reduce environmental pollution from the by-product water generated by coffee processing.