Coffee brings people together. It starts conversations, accompanies our working days and gives us a reason to pause. On International Coffee Day, we also want to recognise the people whose work makes those moments possible.
For coffee farmers, each harvest represents months of care and decisions that shape the seasons ahead. Young trees need water, attention and time before they produce coffee. Older trees need careful management to stay productive. Behind every cup is knowledge passed on, hard work and a commitment to the land.
At Rutasoka, our relationship with coffee begins with these people.
This September, we returned to Murambi, Muhura and Rumuri to witness/ to follow up on the impact of 2025, how coffee seedlings, shade trees, goats and tonnes of compost have become part of everyday life. Seedlings are surviving, goats are reproducing and passing new life from one farmer to another, while water pumps continue to serve communities and support around 500 families, and electricity continues to light the homes of four families. More than projects, these are seeds of change taking root, growing with the communities, and creating impact that continues long after we first planted them.
At Murambi, community members were collecting water from the pump supported through the project. Seeing it being used was a meaningful reminder that the value of an investment becomes a part of the producer’s everyday life.
At farmer Joyce Nyirabyago’s home, that progress felt personal. She shared how access to electricity had made evenings easier for her family. After receiving additional coffee seedlings last year, she now tends 387 coffee trees. The goat she received has also had a kid.
We met Christophe, who received 2,000 coffee seedlings in 2025 and has continued developing his farm. Today, he has more than 5,000 coffee trees. His work shows the commitment required to turn young plants into a foundation for future harvests.
Also Horanimana Samson, who lives close to the water pump, continues to benefit from both the operational electricity connection and the water pump. More than a year after the projects were introduced, both remain in use and continue to make a meaningful difference in his daily life.
The visit also reminded us that every farm has different needs. For Joyce, limited land makes further expansion difficult. Supporting her next steps means looking at how existing trees, soil and available space can be managed well.
Across the communities we visited, agronomists and station teams are helping farmers prepare for planting and care for their coffee. New seedlings are being raised, while older trees are being rejuvenated to encourage fresh growth.
These efforts take patience. Their long-term value depends on what happens after planting, and on continuing to learn alongside farmers.
This International Coffee Day, we celebrate the growers, nursery teams, agronomists and coffee-station workers behind every harvest. We also thank our customers and partners for being part of Rutasoka’s journey.
As we enjoy our coffee today, let us take a moment to recognise the people who make it possible—and the future we can help build together. And during this month we will share more in depth stories from our producers, so make sure to follow us on our social media or subscribe to our newsletter so that you don’t miss out!
Better Coffee Is Built Together.
