How Coffee Took a Gakenke Farmer from Village Fields to International Markets
Esperance Nyirangirimfura, the 73-year-old farmer from Gashenyi Sector, Gakenke District.
For more than four decades, coffee farming has been the foundation of Esperance Nyirangirimfura’s life.
The 73-year-old farmer from Kara Village, Rukura Cell, in Gashenyi Sector of Gakenke District, says coffee has enabled her to educate her children, build rental houses, travel abroad, and secure a stable livelihood for her family.
“I was born into coffee farming. My father was a coffee farmer. He used to carry coffee on his head to Kivuruga Sector for sale, and the money he earned paid for my education until I obtained a diploma,” she recalls.
After getting married, Nyirangirimfura followed in her father’s footsteps and continued cultivating coffee. Today, she remains an active farmer and a member of the Abakunda Kawa Rushashi Cooperative, alongside her children, who have also embraced coffee farming.
Over the years, she has become one of the district’s most experienced coffee growers and an advocate for women’s participation in the sector.
“I brought women together and encouraged them to join a coffee farmers’ association. The income I earned from coffee helped me pay school fees for my children. Today, all of them have completed their education,” she says.
The proceeds from coffee farming also enabled her to invest in property.
“I own more than three houses, some of which are rented out. I have also renovated my own home. All of this came from coffee farming,” she explains.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable moments in her journey came in 2009 when coffee opened doors far beyond Rwanda.
Nyirangirimfura travelled to the United States of America (USA), where she spent 11 days promoting and trading Rwandan coffee. During the visit, she attended international meetings in Atlanta.
“Coffee allowed me to travel and represent Rwanda abroad. Later, the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) recognized me for promoting our country’s coffee on international markets,” she says.
Today, she can earn up to Rwf500,000 in a single coffee season, income she says has been instrumental in building her family’s assets and improving their quality of life.
At her cooperative, coffee cherries are sold at prices ranging between Rwf800 and Rwf1,300 per kilogram, depending on market conditions.
Having started coffee farming at the age of 28, Nyirangirimfura believes the crop remains one of the most reliable sources of income for rural households.
“Coffee transformed our lives. You rarely find a coffee farmer begging for assistance. Coffee farmers can afford school fees for their children and health insurance for their families,” she says.
Her story mirrors the wider impact of coffee production across Gakenke District.
According to Gakenke District Mayor Vestine Mukandayisenga, coffee continues to generate significant income for local farmers and remains one of the district’s most strategic cash crops.
She notes that the district surpassed its coffee production target last year and is currently consolidating figures for this year’s harvest.
To further expand production, the district is working with 17 coffee washing stations and processing facilities, each expected to produce at least 500,000 coffee seedlings.
“Our goal is to increase the number of coffee trees planted so that, within the next three years, even more residents of Gakenke can benefit from coffee farming,” Mukandayisenga says.
The mayor adds that Gakenke coffee has gained international recognition for its quality. In a recent competition involving more than 300 coffee samples, three coffees from Gakenke (Musasa Coffee, Muhondo Coffee, and Twongere Kawa Cooperative Coffee) ranked among the top 20.
“Our coffee continues to stand out for its quality and flavour. What remains is to increase production and replace ageing coffee trees,” she says.
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