Mirango, Burundi

Burundi, often referred to as the "Heart of Africa," is blessed with beautiful lands perfect for cultivating coffee. Coffee has played a critical role in the country's economic history, although its real potential and social impact are only beginning to bear fruit today. Introduced as a crop by Belgian colonialists in the 1930s, Burundian farmers were forced to grow coffee to meet the demands of the European market.

Decades of exploited labour with poor remuneration led to the privatisation of the coffee sector when Burundi gained independence in 1962. However, the colonial scars meant many farmers disregarded coffee cultivation, resulting in poor-quality crops and often abandoned fields. The Burundian people would face numerous challenges over the decades, including political instability and civil conflict, with the most recent civil war lasting from 1993 to 2005. To grow from hardship, agriculture and coffee production became integral to livelihoods.

Inspired by neighbouring Rwanda’s success in rebuilding an economy through coffee, Burundi’s coffee industry saw immense investment and support in the last two decades. Today, Burundi has established itself as an emerging African coffee-growing country capable of producing amazing coffee, despite its size and history.

Efforts to revitalise the coffee industry have focused on improving quality, increasing production, and expanding access to international markets. These initiatives include training programmes for farmers, investment in processing facilities, and the establishment of cooperatives. Today, Burundian coffee is celebrated for its distinctive taste, marked by bright acidity and complex fruit flavours. It continues to be a vital export commodity and a source of hope for economic development in the country.

A notable example of this revitalisation is the Mirango washing station, established in 2015 near the town of Vyanda in the Bururi district of southern Burundi. This station processes the harvests of 211 smallholder coffee farmers, members of the Duharanirikawa Cooperative, with 53% of these smallholders being women. The Duharanirikawa Cooperative, founded in 2012 in the Bururi province, translates to "protecting coffees of all kinds." An apt name reflecting the vision the cooperative has for a sustainable future for Burundian farmers.

They employ a selective picking method during harvest season, followed by hand-sorting and traditional Burundian fully washed processing. The coffee cherries undergo de-pulping, fermentation, controlled drying, and careful milling and sorting. The cooperative also provides comprehensive training to the team working at the washing station, as well as conduct regular quality control surveys and even promote agroforestry. Through these concerted efforts, Burundi's coffee industry is regaining its reputation, offering a beacon of hope for the country's economic and social development.