Forests matter – for our planet’s health and for millions of livelihoods. Yet up to 90% of global deforestation is driven by the expansion of agricultural land, while agricultural commodities such as coffee remain essential sources of income for many rural communities that often live in extreme poverty.
In Burundi, coffee is the country’s most important export commodity. It accounts for nearly half of national export revenues and foreign currency earnings and supports the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Balancing forest protection with economic resilience is therefore both a development and environmental priority.
Through the Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems project (SAFE) in Burundi, funded by the European Union (EU), German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Dutch Foreign Ministry (BZ), and under the umbrella of the Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-free value chains, GIZ works with coffee supply chain actors and smallholder farmers to promote sustainable production practices, enhance livelihoods and protect forest ecosystems in compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
In partnership with Kahawatu Burundi ASBL, the project supports more than 2,000 coffee farmers in adopting sustainable agroforestry practices while increasing productivity. Practical field trainings demonstrate good agricultural practices, including soil conservation, appropriate use of lime, organic manure and mineral fertilizers, coffee tree maintenance and agroforestry. These farmer field schools take place on model plots, such as a 700-tree coffee farm owned by Marcel Barengayabo, where farmers learn through hands-on demonstration. The visited plot stood out for its good maintenance, including adequate mulching, regular pruning and effective integration of agroforestry.
The project also supports the Consortium des Coopératives des Caféiculteurs (COCOCA). To date, more than 13,783 coffee farmers have been geolocated, strengthening traceability and readiness for EUDR compliance, thus giving the farmers a better position in the value chain. COCOCA members are also supported in achieving Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certification.
One of its member cooperatives, DUSANGIRIJAMBO, operates the Maruri washing station and demonstrates the tangible benefits of sustainable certification. Holding both certifications is a strong asset, signalling environmental protection, respect for human rights, fair remuneration and alignment with responsible market standards. For producers in Maruri, this has translated into greater economic stability and resilience. During the 2025 coffee campaign, the cooperative received a premium of 80.000.000 BIF, enabling farmers to earn 200 BIF more per kilogram. The cooperative also invests in community-benefit activities such as the maintenance of local roads and bridges.
Today, more than 80% of COCOCA’s coffee is exported to Europe. In Germany, it is available through WeltPartner eG and Tchibo.
Sustainable supply chains are not only about compliance. They are about protecting forests while securing resilient livelihoods for farmers — today and for generations to come.
About the Project
SAFE works since October 2024 in Burundi. The objective is to support the inclusive and equitable transition to sustainable coffee value chain in Burundi, particularly for smallholders, by scaling up agroecological practices, reducing risks in value chain, and attracting public and private investment in sustainable agri-food businesses. At the local level, SAFE provides training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), especially soil fertility management, pruning techniques, shade trees & intercropping, and climate-smart farming to increase productivity and quality. The project promotes the intensification of agro-ecological practices such as the use of organic fertilizers, bio-pesticides and shade crops and establishing farmer field schools (FFS) and demonstration plots to facilitate hands-on learning and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and raising awareness about international coffee standards and EUDR compliance.
