Well into the interior of Eastern Africa lies a deep and long lake
called Lake Tanganyika. This amazing lake serves to connect the four
countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and
Tanzania. It is in Tanzania, that a small reserve called The Gombe is
home to Jane Goodall’s often studied colonies of Chimpanzees.
Through the years data gathered at the Gombe has played a major role
in scientific advancements, as well as providing a natural sanctuary for
the endangered Chimpanzees. Surrounding the Gombe is a chain of small
villages linked by their common source of income: coffee.y leadership at Sustainable Harvest, quality control and farming
practice
These smallholder coffee farms have, in the past, been primarily
focused on producing commodity grade coffees that were sold at the local
auction for a very low price. This low income led to unsustainable
growing practices as well as an unsustainable income for the farmers and
communities.
This situation led the farmers to start considering alternative crops
that would have had negative effects on the ecosystem and ultimately
could have spelled disaster for the Gombe Reserve.
This situation prompted action within the Specialty Coffee sector.
Led by improvement were achieved through training and collaboration
with coffee experts from the USA as well as agronomists from Brazil.
Within a short time of only 4 years, coffees from the Kanyovu
Cooperative went from commodity grade to taking first place at the Taste
of Harvest competition in Tanzania. Now, due to the high quality of
their coffee members of the Kanyovu Cooperative have received the
highest price paid to any coffee farmers in Tanzania.
This quality based
premium has allowed farmers to work more closely with the Jane Goodall
Institute on re-forestation projects and will allow them opportunities
for social and economic improvements in the future.
To Purchase a bag of the Kanyouvu Tanzanian click here
Well into the interior of Eastern Africa lies a deep and long lake
called Lake Tanganyika. This amazing lake serves to connect the four
countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and
Tanzania. It is in Tanzania, that a small reserve called The Gombe is
home to Jane Goodall’s often studied colonies of Chimpanzees.
This situation led the farmers to start considering alternative crops
that would have had negative effects on the ecosystem and ultimately
could have spelled disaster for the Gombe Reserve.
