Gishyita - Rwanda

Producer(s): Small Holder Farms 
Region: North, Rulindo, Rwanda
Process: Washed
Elevation: 1776 masl

Gishyita Coffee was built and began processing coffee in 2010. At the time, it was owned by a small cooperative, which lacked enough resources and capacity to handle the harvest. Recently, the cooperative decided to rent the station to a private operator who ended up with full ownership after the cooperative agreed to sell.

Providence, the new owner, is a young local resident with ambitions to develop a successful agri-business. He renovated the washing station when he took over, and he has since grown it to process over six containers worth of coffee, offering both fully washed and natural process coffee. He also developed a coffee farm on 40HA of family land, which is becoming a model for the smallholder farmers in the area, but also serves consistent supply of coffee every year.

The station is located in Karongi district, and the coffee comes from the hills surrounding Lake Kivu. The coffee enjoys a good rainfall throughout most of the year, and the high altitude with fertile volcanic soil create ideal growing conditions. The hills covered with coffee trees are beautiful, and a sunset view from the station alone will make you want to drink the coffee.