In Rwanda’s northern highlands, a quiet transformation is reshaping how coffee is grown. On an 11-hectare slope in Rushashi, the Abakundakawa cooperative began an agroforestry pilot in 2019. What started as a response to declining yields and soil erosion has become a clear example of how regenerative design can change a landscape, and a livelihood.

The project was guided by a simple idea: everything begins with the soil. Without healthy ground, coffee quality suffers, incomes fall and communities are left vulnerable. To restore balance, the cooperative introduced more than 10,000 trees, including species like Calliandra, Polyscias, avocado, papaya, and passionfruit. These were paired with cover crops such as Mucuna puriens, creating a layered system where each element supports the others. Coffee was no longer grown in isolation but as part of a broader, living ecology.

By 2022, the canopy had started to close. Tree roots anchored the soil, reducing erosion. Fruit trees added nutritional and economic value. Biodiversity increased and with it, resilience.

The farm now serves as a demonstration site for more than 150 farmers across ten field schools. Rather than prescribing a fixed model, the cooperative encourages adaptation. Farmers are invited to observe, learn, and adjust the approach to their own context. The focus is on knowledge transfer through practice, not theory.

Future plans include planting native Alnus trees, expanding seed collection efforts, and refining direct-seeding techniques to reduce costs and increase impact. The vision is long-term: to create a replicable, locally adapted model for regenerative farming that can continue to evolve.