Agasaro (DEC 22)
Agasaro (DEC 22)
The COCAGI (Coopérative des Caféicultureurs de Gishoma) cooperative operates in the Rusizi District of the Western Province of Rwanda. COCAGI, established in 2004, is one of the oldest cooperatives in Rwanda and boasts an impressive infrastructure that includes a well-maintained cherry reception area, two MacKinnon depulping machines, long grading channels, seven fermentation tanks, large shaded sorting areas, vast areas with rows of raised beds and a fully equipped cupping lab. In 2018 the cooperative established their first women's group, Agasaro, which means "precious bead" or "pearl". Women in the cooperative are trained both as official cuppers and in environmental practices to help maintain the cooperative's Rainforest Alliance certification.