Rwandan coffee farmers will get a fresh chance to prosper after philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter and a Glasgow-based company helped to build a new business for more than 8700 growers.
Rwandan coffee farmers will get a fresh chance to prosper after philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter and a Glasgow-based company helped to build a new business for more than 8700 growers.
Sir Tom has invested in a new brand of coffee, simply called Rwandan Farmers, following work done with two co-operatives in the north of the country.
The brand is 100% owned by Rwandan Farmers, whose workers plant, grow and pick their coffee beans in plantations enriched by high altitude, rainfall patterns and volcanic soils.
Around 70 tonnes of the raw product has been bought up by coffee roaster Matthew Algie, who paid around one third more than the fair trade minimum for the raw product due to its superior quality.
Crucially, the company will return an extra 16% of profits back to Rwandan Farmers, who will then decide how to spend the money through a democratic community forum. Anything from new schools and healthcare projects to books and skipping ropes will be considered.
Ewan Hunter, board member of the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative (CHDI), which funded the project, travelled to Rwanda last year with David Williamson, the former chief executive of Matthew Algie who died earlier this month.
Mr Hunter said: "We travelled last year and Mr Williamson was taken by both the quality of the coffee and the willingness of the farmers to do something really positive. It was decided that Matthew Algie would licence the brand and they have since bought 70 tonnes of beans above fair trade prices. For every can of coffee sold, they will pay 16% back to the farmers."
Rwandan Farmers brand will be sold in Sainsbury's and Julian Graves health food shops. The brand was developed with the Rwandan Farmers and delivered with the pro bono support of several companies keen to get the product off the ground.
"What has gone into this is a bit of brain power and not much else," Mr Hunter said.
Rwandan soil is home to some of the finest coffee bean plantations in the world, although crippling low prices following the 1994 genocide saw many small-scale farmers abandon their plantations.
The CHDI, which works at the invitation of the governments of Rwanda and Malawi, wants to launch a series of products under the Rwandan Farmers banner and over time launch a new brand, African Farmers, based around the same principles.
The initiative is investing $100m (£50m) over 10 years in farming and agricultural projects and programmes which increase access to clean water, sanitation and quality health care.
CHDI was formed in 2006 following a link up between the Hunter Foundation and the Clinton Foundation which was set up by the former US president.
Mr Clinton said: "I'm pleased that the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative is working with President Kagame and the Government of Rwanda to strengthen economic development.
"Rwandan coffee farmers produce some of the best coffee in he world and we're working together to help them develop a sustainable business that can increase their incomes and strengthen their communities."
Already production is up by 20% and revenues increased by 10%.
Sir Tom said: "Our job was to help the Rwandans take a green coffee bean from the fields to the roaster then on to the shelves with no middle men involved. The result is the consumer can drink a brilliant cup of coffee and feel good about themselves. This helps lift Rwandan's up and out of poverty."
Mr Clinton and Sir Tom are to address staff of the UK Department for International Development today on their next big project - to educate one million children in Rwanda and Malawi.
