Mbilima coffee washing station is part of Dukundekawa Co-operative. The washing station was founded in 2005 to cater for farmers who struggled to deliver to the co-operative’s primary station ‘Ruli’. The logistical challenges of delivering such a long distance were having an adverse affect on coffee quality, the co-operative invested in a new facility closer to these farmer groups. Mbilima washing station works with 688 local smallholder farmers.
Founded in 2000, The Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative cultivates its high-quality coffee near a mountain gorilla habitat at around 1,800masl, in Rwanda’s rugged North-West. By producing high-end coffee for the international market and employing a majority female workforce, the cooperative ensures maximum benefits to local families. In 2003, it built a washing station with funds provided by the Rwandan ministry of defense. In exchange for this support, the Dukunde Kawa donates 10 percent of its net profits annually to fund the construction of other washing stations throughout Rwanda.
The Region
The Mbilima coffee farms are located near a gorilla habitat and have been dedicated to organic production since 2018. This transition has been supported by mineral-rich soils and a lush natural environment, which are highly suitable for the production of specialty coffee. The farms primarily cultivate the Bourbon variety. Like much of Rwanda - “the land of a thousand hills” - the terrain is mountainous, rugged and exceptionally beautiful. Rich volcanic soils, plentiful sunshine, and tropical rainfall provide exceptional conditions for the cultivation of arabica, and the Bourbon variety particularly excels in the high elevations of Rwanda’s mountains.
The Procees
Ripe cherries are carefully selected - first by hand, then by floatation and finally with a specialised cherry sorting machine to separate the highest quality cherries by density. These cherries are then dried in the sun on raised African beds for 22-45 days depending on the weather and ambient moisture. During this period the coffee is sorted by hand to remove any physcial defects and is regularly turned to ensure even drying and prevent over fermentation or mould formation. The coffee is covered during rain or midday sun to protect it from damage.
The Producers
Fairtrade Certified since 2004, Dukunde Kawa secures a high standard of living for Rwandan farmers by ensuring access to an economically and environmentally sustainable coffee industry. Before the proliferation of washing statiuons such as those owned by the co-op, the norm in Rwanda was for smallholder farmers to sell semi-processed cherries to middle- men, bringing low prices and severe hardship to farmers. Today it’s a different story: farmers who work with the co-op have seen their income at least double.
Eighty percent of Dukunde Kawa’s producers are women. Each member has been able to buy a farm animal, and many now have health insurance for the first time. Dukunde Kawa also constructed 2 schools for local children in 2006 and provides members with long-term credit at no interest. Many farmers renovated their homes and now all members’ homes have tile rather than grass roofs.
