Becoming a Coffee Entrepreneur
Richard grew up in the Rwenzori region of Western Uganda, a place where coffee is more than a crop; it is the lifeline of families and communities. Yet, at 32 years of age, Richard faced a challenge shared by many young people in his community: he had no land, no assets, and no capital to participate in farming. Without a farm of his own, he wondered if his future had already been decided for him. He considered leaving the village to look for casual work in town.
Richard’s life took a new direction in November 2024 when he was recruited to join training offered by local partner Mountain Harvest. He learned about agronomy, financial literacy, coffee quality, harvesting and post-harvest handling practices.
Following his specialized training, Richard started working as a coffee aggregator. He received a start-up kit of essential equipment including a scale, cherry boards, tarpaulins and organic transportation bags and prefinance and began collecting cherries from the community, while also training farmers on the best coffee picking practices.
Richard guides farmers on proper cherry selection, ensuring that only red ripe cherries are harvested and delivered. This helps farmers to protect the long-term health of their coffee trees, and improve the value of their harvests. Farmers now see Richard as not just as a coffee buyer, but as a quality advisor who helps them earn better prices through careful harvesting.
“Before the training, I thought buying coffee was just about collecting cherries. Now I know that quality starts at the tree. By guiding farmers to pick only red ripe cherries, I help them earn 20% more than the market price per kilogram delivered, and it makes me proud that my community trusts me,” he said.
During the last harvest season, Richard earned over $750 from his efforts. He is optimistic that with continued support from Mountain Harvest, he will expand his coffee sourcing business, creating employment for more youths, and delivering higher volumes than in the previous season.
“Before joining the project, I relied entirely on my family. But with Mountain Harvest, I have gained knowledge, tools, and a business of my own. Today, I proudly call myself a coffee entrepreneur, and the income I earn has given me real independence,” said Richard.
Uganda Rwenzori Program
Led by Lutheran World Relief and local partner Mountain Harvest