Espresso: Rwanda Nyabumera

Falcon provides us with the first Rwandese coffee of the season. Seasonality is very important to us and we try to buy coffees in season as much as possible. We love Rwandese coffees a lot and we buy them on a regular basis, We selected this coffee as or new house espresso because of its notes of orange, baked apple, berries and caramel chocolate.

Nyabumera washing station is in the Mahembe sector of Nyamasheke District. It is strategically located at the entrance of the valley. Acquired by a new owner, Providence, in 2023, the station had faced neglect over the previous two years. Providence has taken proactive steps to revitalise the space, clean up certain areas, and plan to increase the number of drying beds and build a larger storage facility on-site.

The station operates with a team of 5 permanent staff, including 2 women, and employs 80 to 100 seasonal workers during peak harvest times, with 70% of the workforce being women.

In 2023, the annual production volume is projected to reach 210 metric tons, with ambitious targets of 700 metric tons and a long-term potential of 1,000 metric tons. The isolated location and the extensive network of farmers residing in the surrounding hills contribute to this vast potential. In 2023, Nyabumera received deliveries from 1,200 farmers in the zone; farmers were registered at delivery and enrolled in training programs (ATP) during both the harvest and off-season. Training sessions are conducted at the station and include farm visits.

Coffee cherries are collected from various points, while some farmers bring their produce on foot. With 20 collection points, Nyabumera facilitates the seamless gathering of coffee from the surrounding areas. This year marks the first collaboration with the ATP program, introducing a combination of organic and chemical fertilisers, a common practice in the region. The station draws water from a local spring, and after separating husks and mucilage for composting, the water undergoes filtration through stones in the water pit and is neutralized with EM and lime before being discharged.

As a testament to future growth, Nyabumera has 100,000 seedlings ready for distribution in 2023 to support local farmers, showcasing a commitment to sustainable and thriving coffee farming in the region.