Pauline Ntaconkurikira
“Through agriculture, I learned to read and write, and I have gained a livelihood from coffee, which helps me meet my needs and support others.”
“My hope is to further develop my farming business in order to improve my family’s living conditions. I would also like to increase the productivity and quality of my coffee, have better access to markets, and see new partners come forward to support us in our activities.”
Achievements
I am particularly proud of my experience and skills in agriculture, especially in coffee production. I have learned how to take better care of my coffee trees, improve the quality of my production, and deal with the different challenges encountered during the season. I am also proud to be able to use my knowledge to help and share my experience with other women farmers in my community.
Thanks to my coffee business, I was able to travel to Guatemala and Kenya to gain more knowledge about coffee, strengthen mutual support among producers, and improve agricultural activities. Financial literacy training provided by JNP Coffee helped me pool my savings with other Burundian women. Together, we built a coffee washing station.
Challenges
Farming is difficult because of several factors, including climate change, periods of drought or irregular rainfall, crop diseases and pests, limited markets for agricultural products, and the high cost of agricultural inputs. […] Solidarity among women and the willingness to learn new agricultural techniques also help me keep going despite the difficulties.
Her experience as a woman farmer
Being a woman farmer requires a lot of hard work, patience, and perseverance. Behind every agricultural product, there are many efforts and sacrifices. As a Burundian woman farmer, I contribute not only to agricultural production and the development of my family, but also to the economy of my community. We need to be better supported, trained, and recognized for our contribution.
Those who work with courage and patience eventually reap the fruits of their efforts.
Sorting cherries with Jeanine
Shared in collaboration with JNP Coffee.