The Bukonzo Organic Farmers Cooperative Union, Uganda
Where does our coffee actually come from? We know exactly. And we're proud to introduce our Fairtrade-certified farmer consortia. Today we're featuring the BOCU (Bukonzo Organic Farmers Cooperative Union) cooperative, founded in 2004 in western Uganda, whose excellent Arabica beans are used in our "Moby Dick" coffee.
The landscape here in the Bukonzo district of western Uganda could hardly be more beautiful. In the heart of Africa, bordering the Congo, grow the finest Arabica beans. The Rwenzori Mountains, with their altitude (highest point 5,109 meters above sea level), offer perfect conditions for cultivating world-class Arabica beans. However, the area in the Kasese district is difficult to access and has a poor road network. It is high time for infrastructure investment to make it easier for the cooperative's farmers to bring their coffee to market. There is a general need for sustainable development in the remote Kasese region, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and water. The Fairtrade certification the cooperative received in 2013 will enable such projects to be implemented.
The Bukonzo Organic Farmers Cooperative Union now has nearly 2,000 members, 37% of whom are women, and promotes the production and marketing of its premium organic coffee. The consortium has significantly improved the lives of smallholder farmers and was the first in the region to receive organic certification.
The cooperative is currently developing a climate change strategy to mitigate the high risks associated with its production. This includes water conservation practices and farmers leaving parts of their fields uncultivated to promote biodiversity.
The next time you drink our Moby Dick, you'll not only be doing your palate a favor, but you'll also be directly supporting the 1975 farmers of BOCU.
https://bukonzoorganics.com/
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