Burundi Livestock for Income Diversification Project – 2025 Update

For many coffee-farming households in Burundi, coffee is the main source of annual income. However, small farms, aging trees and limited access to finance can make it difficult for families to meet their needs through coffee alone.

Livestock can help bridge that gap. Goats are relatively easy to care for and provide benefits both on and off the farm: manure can serve as organic fertilizer for healthier soils and more productive coffee trees, while milk and meat can improve family nutrition or generate additional income. 

That is the idea behind Sucafina’s Burundi livestock project. Through Beyond Flagship, the initiative gives farming families access to livestock as a productive asset rather than a short-term gift. It also creates a livestock solidarity chain, where animals’ offspring are passed on to other households in the group so more families benefit over time.

In 2025, the project distributed livestock at Rimiro Coffee Washing Station. Women farmers were prioritized, with local authorities, veterinary services and community leaders involved in the process. A dedicated sustainability premium of 5 US cents/lb is built into contributing coffee contracts, creating a clear link between coffee purchases and on-the-ground impact. 

Some goats were dedicated to specific clients, and farmers recorded thank-you messages in return. This helped create a more personal connection between roasters and the farmers behind the coffee, while making the impact of each purchase more visible. 

Project Impact

• 65 animals (55 goats and 10 bucks) distributed at Rimiro Coffee Washing Station in June 2025 – expected to reach 240 within 3 years as the goats reproduce. 
• Women farmers were prioritized during allocation to advance gender equity in coffee communities. 
• One animal per household to maximize reach and avoid concentration. 
• Livestock help improve coffee yields, diversify household income and strengthen resilience. 

Next Steps
The Burundi livestock project is ongoing. Following the 2025 distribution at Rimiro CWS, another distribution is planned for June 2026 as we continue strengthening farmer resilience through Beyond Flagship. 

About Beyond Flagship Projects
Beyond Flagship Projects are initiatives linked to IMPACT-verified farmer groups within Sucafina’s direct supply chains. They give partners a flexible way to support IMPACT goals, create measurable impact and drive meaningful change through origin-specific investment.

Investments are made through a premium and do not need to be tied directly to coffee produced by participating farmers. Instead, support is origin-specific. In Burundi, purchases of contributing coffees help fund projects like this livestock initiative, expanding impact and supporting more resilient coffee-farming communities.