Coffee, climate, community: A holistic examination of specialty coffee supply chains in Rwanda

Abstract

Rwanda has been a notable player in sustainable development in the last decades, particularly in light of its agricultural practices. This paper offers a multifaceted viewpoint on the challenges faced by Rwanda's specialty coffee sector. Our holistic approach to studying the situation and possibilities included fieldwork, site visits, informal interviews with various stakeholders, from farmers to governmental officials, and an extensive literature study to support our findings. We highlight the challenges of optimizing the domestic supply chain and the effects of such developments on rural livelihoods. Poverty and lacking resources require a nuanced view toward sustainability, as ecological and economic sustainability do not align. The paper presents how certification programs can function as indicators of sustainability and stresses the need for policy evaluations. We also discuss the unique challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Rwanda and how corporate interests may interfere with long‐term sustainable development. As Rwanda continues to develop, this paper argues that the resilience and ingenuity of its people are crucial in the ongoing development of sustainable agricultural systems.