Turihamwe Turashobora

The Turihamwe project represents a transformative model for coffee production in Burundi, a country where the industry is defined by smallholder farmers and a heavy reliance on coffee for national economic stability. In 2019, a group of seven women farmers took the unprecedented step of pooling their resources to establish Burundi’s first women-owned washing station. By moving beyond the role of mere cherry suppliers and taking ownership of the processing stage, these producers gained the ability to dictate quality control and capture more value from their harvest.

The name "Turihamwe," which translates to "together" in the Kirundi language, serves as both a brand and a testament to the collective effort required to overcome the systemic barriers faced by women in the Burundian agricultural sector. Historically, while women performed the majority of the labor in coffee cultivation, they often lacked direct access to the processing infrastructure and the financial benefits associated with the final product. The creation of this washing station was a strategic intervention designed to bypass these traditional limitations.

Located in the Ngozi province, the washing station benefits from the high altitudes, volcanic soils, and consistent rainfall that characterize Burundi’s prime coffee-growing regions. The farmers utilize these environmental advantages to produce high-quality Bourbon variety coffee. The processing at the station is primarily focused on the washed method, which is standard for the region but elevated here through the meticulous attention to detail applied by the collective members during the sorting and fermentation stages.

For the roaster and the consumer, the impact of this ownership is evident in the cup profile. Coffees sourced from Turihamwe are consistently noted for their bright, clean, and balanced characteristics. Common tasting descriptors include citrus notes such as lemon and lemongrass, floral aromatics like orange blossom, and stone fruit qualities like apricot or white grape. These profiles are often complemented by a tea-like body and a syrupy mouthfeel, reflecting the precision of the processing techniques employed at the station.

The success of Turihamwe has garnered international attention, with various specialty roasters highlighting the collective's story alongside their coffee. This visibility is crucial, as it connects the consumer directly to the producers, fostering a transparent supply chain that emphasizes social equity as a driver of quality. By controlling the processing, the women of Turihamwe have successfully positioned their coffee in the specialty market, proving that economic empowerment and high-quality production are deeply intertwined.

While Turihamwe is distinct, it exists within the broader context of Burundi’s coffee landscape, where initiatives like those led by figures such as Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian have sought to provide education and opportunity to women farmers. The Turihamwe collective stands as a concrete example of how local ownership can reshape the narrative of a region. Today, the project remains a benchmark for gender-inclusive development in the coffee industry, demonstrating that when farmers have the agency to manage their own infrastructure, the result is a more sustainable and higher-quality product for the global market.