24-year-old Bilha Wanjira Kirera was born and raised in the village of Difatha, just 10 kilometers west of Embu, an important economic and cultural center in the Eastern Province of Kenya...
Read moreFor macadamia farmers in Sagana, Kenya, climate change is more than an existential threat—it’s a daily reality. Climate change has disrupted the traditional macadamia planting and harvesting seasons and brought unpredictable rainfall patterns...
Read moreTopics: Environment |
We are thrilled that Maria Teresa Villanueva, an expert in public-private partnerships, has joined Root Capital’s board of directors. Maria Teresa brings over 20 years of experience generating strategic alliances and partnerships...
Read moreTopics: News and Announcements |
Root Capital staff take a tour of a Peruvian client’s coffee crops. Credit: Root Capital The Land of Fairtrade Coffee Peru’s coffee is renowned for two reasons: one, its exquisite flavor profile, ranking among the finest in the world, and, two, its leadership in Fairtrade practices. In 2020, Peru exported $60 million worth of coffee to other countries and continues…
Read moreTopics: Environment |
Root Capital is excited to announce that Scott Amero and Sophie Romana have been elected the new co-chairs of our board of directors! We’re immensely grateful to Ana Zacapa who has completed her term as board chair but will…
Read moreTopics: News and Announcements |
“To save our beloved coffee, and all the benefits that come with it, we need a more comprehensive approach to this existential threat of climate change.” – Willy Foote Use of the term “agroforestry” continues to grow in popularity in…
Read moreTopics: Environment |
Ibu Rizkani is a woman who is shattering gender expectations in Indonesian agriculture. She is the Founder and Position Chair of Kokowagayo, the first women-owned and led cooperative in Sumatra, Indonesia. Prior to running her own coffee business, she worked with another cooperative, which consisted of 95% male employees...
Read moreTopics: Southeast Asia | Women in Agriculture |
Intern Pierre Ndabazi of Cocahu, a coffee cooperative in Rwanda, trains coffee farmers on coffee pruning. Photo credit: Gladys Thitu/Root Capital Young people in rural communities are struggling. There are few jobs-and those that exist are seen as low-paying, sporadic, and unfulfilling. It’s no wonder so many youth leave rural areas behind. Their parents can barely make ends meet. Crop…
Read moreTopics: Youth |
Permata Gayo cooperative members stand outside the cooperative’s headquarters in Aceh, Indonesia. Credit: Root Capital. Sixty percent of the world’s coffee supply comes from smallholder farmers with less than five hectares of land. While their products may account for more than half of the world’s coffee beans, small agricultural cooperatives often lack access to finance and therefore are unable to…
Read moreTopics: Southeast Asia | Stories of Impact |
2023 was a year of sustained progress for Root Capital, thanks to our dedicated community of supporters. As we enter 2024-a milestone year as we celebrate our 25th anniversary!-we reflect on our top five highlights from the past year. Leonor Gutiérrez, Director of the Women in Agricultural Initiative (WAI), presents to the Women’s Council at a convening in Nairobi, Kenya,…
Read moreTopics: Environment | Our Community | Women in Agriculture | Youth |