Tanzania and This Side up have been working together for the last 8 years and one of our oldest partners.
Tanzania is a vulnerable ecosystem prone to drought and water scarcity. Coffee is also considered a very labor intensive crop. The effort to process and produce coffee in a poverty stricken country like Tanzania is minimal. They also get stuck in a vicious not investing enough in the coffee therefore not being able to achieve a higher quality and therefore less income. The challenges to overcome by the buyers or roasters in order to support them in an effective way are 1. local language 2. lack of internet usage 3. Scope to improve business hygiene.
Wanza’s role in the value chain is constantly changing from just exporters to trusted advisors for these farmer partners. Their primary and foremost impact is towards providing economic empowerment by helping them receive a high price as a fair compensation.
REBECCA TRUPIN & FRANK MLAY
“ Impact is improving the livelihoods to benefit farmer and farmer groups. It's important to think about benefitting cooperatives as much as benefiting the small holder farmers. Impact at this origin needs to be about diversifying income through coffee and farm.”
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Achievements so far: Farmers earn a high price almost 45% higher than auction prices for specialty coffee of direct trade. Farmer groups have been investing in improving quality through better infrastructure required to produce it.
What the future holds: For Wanza to increase their sphere of influence beyond economic empowerment of the farmer groups. Continue being honest agents of the farmers. Support their partners in finding buyers as well as finding new local farmer partners to collaborate in an attempt to expand Wanza’s portfolio.
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Achievements so far : Winning the trust of the farmers through transparent communication and helping them maintain a relationship with This Side up. Learning more about their problems in the field and also advising them to find effective solutions. Finding newer farmer group that are very much interested to work with Wanza for their credibility.
What the future holds: Getting involved in agronomy, quality control, fine tuning price quality differential so farmers can sell different grades of coffee each season. Going beyond being “exporters” and becoming trusted advisors for the farmer partners at grassroot level.
