Gakenke, Rwanda, November 19, 2025 – Sustainable Growers, an NGO focused on modern coffee farming methods for small-scale women coffee growe...
Gakenke, Rwanda, November 19, 2025 – Sustainable Growers, an NGO focused on modern coffee farming methods for small-scale women coffee growers, is acknowledging the completion of over 13,000 women coffee farmers throughout Rwanda. These graduates, from Kayonza, Gakenke, Gicumbi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Huye, and Nyaruguru Districts, have successfully completed a year-long program centered on best agricultural practices in coffee, home roasting, storytelling for leadership, and market access activities. The national launch event is currently taking place in Gakenke District today, November 19, 2025, with additional graduation ceremonies scheduled in other districts between November 19 and 27, 2025, signifying the end of the program's annual cycle. Alongside the graduates, Sustainable Growers will honor 13,067 women who have shown remarkable dedication to climate-friendly techniques, cooperation within cooperatives, and active participation in community projects through its Premium Sharing Rewards (PSR) initiative, locally referred to as “Wakoze Neza Muhinzi.” With ongoing support from our founding partner, Bloomberg Philanthropies, we have impacted more than 328,000 individuals, benefiting over 60,000 of their beneficiaries across Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. The Graduation and Premium Sharing Reward (PSR) initiative aims to enhance motivation, strengthen community leadership, and emphasize the crucial role of women in the coffee industry. This annual event is part of Sustainable Growers' mission to promote sustainable agriculture, empower women’s leadership, and improve rural livelihoods; thus reinforcing its commitment to national governments’ economic development goals to enhance productivity, quality, and create market access for coffee farmers and producers. “At Sustainable Growers, we believe that recognition fosters resilience,” stated Christine Condo, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Growers. “These awards are not just about celebrating performance; they are about validating the hard work, knowledge, and leadership of women who are transforming the coffee sector and uplifting their families and communities.” The Premium Sharing Rewards (PSR) program encourages women coffee farmers to implement Best Agricultural Practices and participate in public health and sanitation initiatives, such as health insurance, school enrollment, and malaria prevention. Throughout the year, farmers are evaluated after each training module, accumulating performance scores that contribute to year-end rewards. During graduation events, they receive certificates of completion along with practical assets like livestock, farm tools, or household materials to support their continued growth. “Through Sustainable Growers’ training, I learned methods to improve the quality of my coffee. Now, my cooperative produces beans that meet international standards,” said Vestine Mukankusi, a member of Twongere Kawa Coko Cooperative, which ranked 18th out of 300 coffee samples collected nationwide during the 2025 Best of Rwanda Competition with a score of 87.5. About Sustainable Growers Sustainable Growers is a non-profit organization that introduces innovative training elements to the coffee industry and is dedicated to elevating smallholder farmers along the coffee value chain. Sustainable Growers aligns its growth strategies with government visions to unlock the potential of women’s co-ops, enabling them to become leading African coffee entrepreneurs. Providing agricultural training, coffee processing, and market-based skills to women coffee farmers and their families in Rwanda, DRC, and Tanzania. With the generous support from our founding partners at Bloomberg Philanthropies, since the establishment of the organization, Sustainable Growers has enrolled over 60,000 women farmers in training, which has helped increase the value of their crops in the initial months of training by more than 40%.
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