This piece highlights the transformative impact of Question Coffee in Rwanda, focusing on how it empowers women coffee farmers. The café serves as a bridge between urban consumers and rural producers, creating a unique economic model that fosters independence and community strength. By collaborating with women-led cooperatives, Question Coffee not only improves the quality of coffee produced but also enhances the livelihoods of the farmers involved.
• Question Coffee collaborates with 56,000 farmers across Rwanda and neighboring countries, emphasizing support for women, who make up 57% of the coffee farming community.
• The enterprise provides training and tools to improve coffee quality, leading to better market prices and increased economic independence for women.
• Farmers are encouraged to move away from the volatile "C-price" market to the specialty market, where coffee quality determines pricing.
• Investments in agronomy and financial literacy help farmers make informed decisions, enhancing their resilience against climate and market fluctuations.
This initiative matters because it not only boosts individual incomes but also empowers women in their communities. As these women gain confidence and influence, they can make decisions that affect their families and communities, leading to broader social change. The model demonstrates how targeted support can create sustainable economic growth in rural areas.
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