In 2021, we joined forces with Tropic Coffee and long-time wholesale partner Baltzersens to launch our second Impact Project. Encorporating funds raised through Baltzersens’ single-use cup charge, we provided the financial support needed to prepare 8 hectares of land in Nyamasheke, Rwanda. That included clearing the space and planting 20,000 coffee trees at Muremure farm, which were then distributed to 20 young people to help them begin a career in coffee.
The project addresses one of the biggest challenges in coffee production today. With many farmers now in their mid-50s, there has rural areas. In this part of Rwanda, many had turned to mining or left the region entirely in search of work. By supporting them to grow their own coffee, this project has given them an opportunity to earn a stable income doing meaningful work, while remaining close to home.
Already, these young producers have been able to support their families with essentials like livestock, mobile phones, and healthcare products. This is the real impact of your support. By choosing to buy this coffee, you’re directly contributing to a better, more secure future for these individuals and their communities.
These producers have since named themselves the Ijabo Producer Group. Ijabo means dignity, a fitting name for a project built on empowerment. The group grows organic, shade-grown coffee in the rich, high-altitude landscape near the Nyungwe Rainforest. The climate and bee-friendly environment help produce a balanced, vibrant cup of coffee that we’re proud to share with you.
This is Ijabo’s first-ever harvest, and we’re committed to supporting the group for the long term. Thank you for being part of the journey. the industry’s future.
The 20 producers have come together to form the Ijabo Producer Group. "Ijabo" means dignity, a name that reflects the purpose behind this project: to provide lasting, meaningful work that helps young people build a future in coffee. Already, the group has been able to support their families with livestock, mobile phones, and healthcare. This is the tangible impact of your support. Check out the slideshow below to meet the producers.
Cyato Washing Station
Cyato Washing Station, run by Tropic Coffee, is located at 1,930m in Nyamasheke, western Rwanda, with farmers growing coffee even higher at 2,200m. Operating since 2017, it processes over 300MT of cherries each season. Thanks to the cool, humid climate near Lake Kivu and the Nyungwe Forest, cherries ripen slowly, developing complexity and clarity. Hand-picked Red Bourbon cherries are wet processed and dried on raised beds for up to 22 days, with careful turning to prevent over-fermentation. Bee pollination plays a huge role here, improving yield, flavour consistency, and cup quality. The result? Bright, complex coffees with notes of orange, honey, and creamy tropical fruit. No synthetic fertilisers are used, helping to protect the area’s rich biodiversity and thriving pollinator population. Take a tour by watching the video below.
Take a minute trip to Cyato Washing Station
Thank you!
This is just the beginning. We remain committed to supporting the Ijabo Producer Group with compost, agronomy training, and a guaranteed price that covers production costs and supports future growth. By purchasing this coffee, you're part of something bigger – a project rooted in equity, sustainability, and long-term impact. Thank you for being part of the journey.