How coffee is grown in Tanzania: an interview with Bellington Mtui
Bellington and Mary Be Mtui grow coffee on an acre of property in the village of Mshiri at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The couple has four children (Alex 24, Amos 17, Agrey 14 and Reheme 9). The family farm produces bananas, avocados and vegetables. The Mtuis also raise cattle and run a small shop that sells rice, oil, salt, etc. Coffee is their largest cash crop and it accounts for about 25% of the farm income.
Mr. Mtui has noticed a decrease in rainfall during the growing season and although the 2010/2011 world coffee prices are good, with the market variability he's wondering if it makes sense to replant his aging coffee trees. Being able to sell his beans for a premium price, will make a difference in the profitability of his farm.
This Arabica coffee is hand picked when ripe by the Mtui's, then dried in the sun on raised mesh drying stands. The coffee trees are shade grown and no pesticides or petroleum based fertilizers have been used. This results not only in a better bean, but also preserves soil quality, forest cover, and helps maintain biodiversity.
See the videos below for more details and a tour of Bellington's farm.
Go to our ordering page to order coffee from Bellington and his neighbours.
Mr. Mtui has noticed a decrease in rainfall during the growing season and although the 2010/2011 world coffee prices are good, with the market variability he's wondering if it makes sense to replant his aging coffee trees. Being able to sell his beans for a premium price, will make a difference in the profitability of his farm.
This Arabica coffee is hand picked when ripe by the Mtui's, then dried in the sun on raised mesh drying stands. The coffee trees are shade grown and no pesticides or petroleum based fertilizers have been used. This results not only in a better bean, but also preserves soil quality, forest cover, and helps maintain biodiversity.
See the videos below for more details and a tour of Bellington's farm.
Go to our ordering page to order coffee from Bellington and his neighbours.
