Written by Elizabeth Gezahegn, Cooperative Advisor Ethiopia
In the heart of Ethiopia, the Chercher Oda Bultum Farmers Cooperative Union has been a beacon of progress since its inception in 2005. Starting with just 62 primary cooperatives, the union has grown into a robust organisation with 178 member cooperatives representing over 74,257 families. What began with a modest capital of 714,000 birr has now blossomed into an entity with a capital base of 150 million birr.
Read moreIn the ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) area of lower eastern Kenya, a remarkable success story has emerged from a cooperative that aggregates and markets cereals in a region that is faced with erratic rainfall and the crop-value chains that perform well are only pulses. This cooperative, driven by the vision of sustainable agriculture and community empowerment, has made significant strides with the support of Agriterra under the Acting Now project.
Read moreWritten by Dita Beshada, Junior Cooperative Advisor Ethiopia
Organic fertilisers are naturally produced materials that can be added to soil or plants to provide essential nutrients and support growth. Unlike inorganic (synthetic) fertilisers, which are derived from synthetic materials, organic fertilisers are sourced from naturally occurring biochemical processes. Common examples include animal waste (such as manure and slurry) and plant-based fertilisers like compost.
Read moreWritten by Merveille Kakule Saliboko, communications consultant DR Congo
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kalehe territory, coffee production is not only revitalising local economies but also transforming lives. Thanks to the TRIDE project, implemented by Agriterra in partnership with local cooperatives, farmers are experiencing unprecedented growth in both productivity and household income. Supported by training and sustainable farming practices, individuals like Matembera David and Immaculée Nyanjira Kaharangabo are seeing their yields double, empowering families, especially women, to contribute significantly to their communities. This shift is fostering economic independence, promoting gender equality, and bringing hope to a region once limited by traditional agricultural methods.
Read moreWritten by Merveille Kakule Saliboko, communications consultant DR Congo
Thanks to Agriterra's training courses, the members of the ADPA cooperative are seeing their production increase significantly. By adapting the good farming practices they have learned, they use less seed to produce more rice. These good farming practices have been introduced through to the TRIDE project, Transition for Inclusive Development in Eastern DRC, implemented by Agriterra as part of its support for farming cooperatives.
Read moreRichard Schukkink, owner of the International Tea and Coffee Academy, is an expert in coffee, tea, and cocoa. He advises on import and export and enjoys connecting markets. Additionally, he loves working hands-on with the products. In June, he travelled to Tanzania as an Agripool expert for Agriterra to help Kazi Yetu Ltd, a cooperative that packages and sells tea, with their production issues.
Read moreWritten by Dita Beshada, Junior Cooperative Advisor Ethiopia
Bitacha Multipurpose Primary Cooperative is located at Kofele woreda, in the southern part of Ethiopia. The cooperative is a member of Raya Kejewa union. Established in 2013 as Bitacha Multipurpose Primary Cooperative, it initially had 70 members and 3500 share capital.In 2024, Bitacha PC has grown to 710 members, of which 202 are female and 120 youth. Currently, the cooperative has a general manager and an extension officer who have both been hired through a co-financing by the Agriterra Acting Now project, and one security guard. Members of the PC primarily produce malt barley rotated with potatoes. Additionally, they grow vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and beetroots.
Read moreWritten by Merveille Kakule Saliboko, Agriterra communications consultant in DR Congo
From June 27 to 29, 2024, the World of Coffee was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. World of Coffee is the world's largest coffee industry trade fair. Two delegates from Congolese cooperatives supported by Agriterra were present. One of the two participants, Gilbert Makelele, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative society of innovative coffee growers in Kivu, SCPNCK, looks back on the “achievements” of this trip.
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