Farm: Itaka Quality Coffee Group
Type: Kent, Bourbon & other local varieties
Processing: Fully washed and sun-dried on beds
Altitude: 1620 meters above sea level
Owner: Group of owners
City: Mbozi, Songwe
Region: Mbeya
Country: Tanzania
Additional Information:
When the Itaka group was formed in 2006, there were 14 smallholder farmers participating. This number has since grown to 24, but it is still small with limited productivity. Most farmers inherited their farms from their parents, and their coffee processing methods remain traditional. However, this group works together to improve the quality of their coffee to sell it at a price that matches the global market.
To achieve this, they face many challenges, starting with obtaining sufficient information about coffee. Nevertheless, they strive to participate in educational programs that help them achieve their goals, although it is still difficult to do so. The challenges for this group increase when they face adverse weather conditions that weaken coffee trees and make them susceptible to diseases. Currently, the group does not have irrigation tools, making them entirely dependent on rainfall, which poses a risk as rain is sometimes delayed or not in sufficient quantities.
