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| Issa Nkurunziza Division Manager of Traditional Commodities at NAEB |
The
National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) said there is need for
youth to join the move of embracing various opportunities of coffee value chain
to help the country to achieve its target of future targets of exports revenues
of 80 million USD by 2020 and over 95 million USD in 2040 respectively.
The
call was made by Issa Nkurunziza, Traditional Commodities Division Manager at
NAEB, on Thursday during the training briefing session of sharing to youths,
opportunities found in coffee value chain business.
“Nowadays
people we have in coffee agriculture most of them are above 50 years, according
to 2015 General Population and Housing Census shows that 51 percent of ages are
in coffee plantation”.
He said
He
also say “If our in this kind of agriculture, it will be hard to
find coffee in the next few years, that’s why we are encouraging descendants of
coffee growers and others to invest in this sector for the purpose of
increasing the production bit in quality and quantity so that we advance in the
economic transformation we want for our country through exports earnings
increment.”
Nkurunziza
highlighted that all might start by liking our own products through consumption
and engage in other coffee related business like joint ventures, wholesalers,
retailers, roasters and join other companies that work hand in hand with
farmers for coffee value addition that will contribute to the attainment of
exports earning targets of the country.
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During
the session some successful coffee farmers in the country shared their
experience for the tough journey that always finds its climax in smiles on
faces.
Bizimana
Anastase, An old man who leads Abakunda Kawa ba Rushashi, a cooperative of
coffee growers operating in Gakenke district Northern Province; has
been in coffee business since hischildhood learning from his parents, recalled
the fruitful journey that needs much sacrifice and patience.
“Many
young people don’t have patience for the sustainable business, unlike to others
coffee plantation need so much efforts and involvements in all required steps
to harvest the good quality.”
He
noted on the occasion of one day training session aimed at bringing youths into
the business by showing viable opportunities to embrace.
Some
of these farmers are benefiting from Dutch- farmers founded
organization of farmers that help agriculture business by offering training
sessions and mentorship to the farmers in need, through their
cooperatives.
Jasper
Spikker, the country representative of Agriterra recommend that youth must
involve more creativity and courage in their agriculture activities, because to
start a new coffee plantation takes some time and requires big land that many
of young people can’t afford which is a hindrance to many.
“But
there are some very talented coffee farmers but also talented agronomist which
are young and which deserve opportunities,” he said. “And
we would like to help cooperatives to offer those opportunities , as Agriterra
we can’t buy land for youth, but we would like to help cooperatives to think
about strategies how they can welcome youths to join agriculture to join the
services that elderly farmers need.”
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