Building Resilience with Women Farmers in Burundi

Women play a vital role in coffee production in Burundi but often lack the resources and support they need to thrive. That’s why we are facilitating and funding four women’s empowerment groups in Ngozi Province. Today, we’re excited to share an update on how this initiative – launched in honor of our clients as our 2024 holiday gift – is taking root.   

In recent times, smallholder coffee farmers in Burundi have faced various sociopolitical and environmental challenges. For women, limited access to land and economic opportunities makes these barriers even greater.  

To strengthen resilience and create more opportunities for women, we’re working with farmers at Rimiro Washing Station in Ngozi Province, which is managed by Joelle Nishimwe. The first woman to manage one of our washing stations in Burundi, Joelle has already demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to supporting women in her community. 

Together with Kahawatu Foundation, we’re collaborating with women in the nearby communities of Rimiro, Muhama and Bucamihigo to support them to form Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). These community-led savings groups enable farmers – particularly women and young people – to access cash loans for on-farm investments and new income-generating activities. VSLAs play a pivotal role in strengthening farmers’ economic resilience and unlocking new opportunities. 

The aim is to expand each of these four VSLAs to 30 members. As the groups develop, members will attend training sessions on savings management and income-generating activities. They’ll also take part in trainings on agronomic practices, such as stumping, organic fertilizer use and intercropping. Together, these initiatives will equip farmers with the skills and resources to increase their coffee yields and diversify their income sources. 

Members of the Bakenyezi Dutezimbere Igiterwa C'Ikawa group from Rimiro are helping to rejuvenate a small plot of coffee trees at the washing station. Once the renovation is complete, they'll take ownership of the plot. Later this year, the women will also receive high-quality coffee seedlings, giving them the chance to enhance their own farms and secure stronger yields for the future. 

The farmers participating in this program are already seeing the benefits. They can apply for VSLA credit to carry out small farm projects they wouldn’t be able to finance themselves. Importantly, they can see their own progress, even if it takes time. These women are setting a strong example within their communities, sharing the value of VSLAs with other farmers and encouraging them to join.

Joelle Nishimwe, CWS Manager Rimiro

Alongside this, we’re distributing livestock to farmers at Rimiro Washing Station as part of our IMPACT Beyond Flagship program. Earlier this year, 65 coffee farmers, including 40 women, received goats at a community event. 

Livestock rearing brings a whole host of benefits. Families gain better access to milk and meat, enhancing nutrition, while also receiving additional income from selling the goats’ offspring and milk. But the main reason why farmers love our livestock program is to get access to manure from the animals, which serves as a valuable organic fertilizer that can help boost yields and, in turn, revenue. 

These are early but meaningful steps. With the support of this initiative, smallholder farmers in Burundi are building stronger, more resilient livelihoods for themselves, their families and their communities. 

Interested in partnering with us to implement an IMPACT Beyond project in your supply chain? Get in touch with your trader today.