TechnoServe Trains One Million Coffee Farmers, Boosting Incomes and the Environment

Global nonprofit marks major milestone in its effort to transform coffee livelihoods and protect the planet through regenerative farming practices

Arlington, VA (October 22, 2025) — International nonprofit TechnoServe today announced a significant achievement: it has provided agronomy training to one million smallholder coffee farmers, equipping them to improve their incomes, strengthen climate resilience, and adopt more sustainable farming practices.

Since launching its first coffee training programs in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania in 2009, TechnoServe has expanded its agronomy work to 16 countries, training more than 870,000 farmers in Africa, 130,000 in Latin America, and more than 1,000 in India. Together, these farmers represent more than 660,000 coffee-growing households that now have the tools to produce higher-quality coffee while protecting their land for future generations.

“Fifteen years ago, as a TechnoServe Fellow, I saw firsthand the impact of the organization’s coffee work in Rwanda,” said Mia Funt, president and co-founder of ByHeart and a member of TechnoServe’s board of directors. “It’s deeply motivating to see how that early initiative has grown into a global effort transforming lives across Africa, Latin America, and beyond.”

Despite coffee’s global importance, an estimated 5.5 million coffee-farming families still live in poverty. TechnoServe’s training programs provide practical, hands-on knowledge in regenerative agriculture such as tree rejuvenation, soil and nutrient management, and pest management, helping farmers boost productivity while restoring ecosystems. Independent evaluations show that trained farmers significantly increase their income and resilience to climate shocks.

“Without better coffee yields and a positive mindset, I don’t think I would be where I am now,” said Lubaba Mekonnen, a farmer who increased her coffee income by 200% after participating in a TechnoServe training program. She invested those profits in opening a small retail shop and diversifying the revenue streams on her farm. As a result, she was able to build her family a new house and is sending her children to university.

Data also highlight the strong return on investment in agronomy training: every dollar invested in TechnoServe coffee projects completed between 2022 and 2025 generated $4.71 for participating farmers.

In delivering this training, TechnoServe has partnered with a range of leading coffee companies, foundations, and public-sector agencies.

“This milestone shows what’s possible when the private sector, governments, and communities invest in farmers’ potential,” said Paul Stewart, TechnoServe’s global coffee director. “A million trained farmers is a remarkable achievement, but millions more still need the chance to build a viable livelihood while protecting the landscapes that sustain coffee. We are excited to work with our partners to scale this work even further.”

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About TechnoServe

Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in around 35 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.

More information at: Twitter @TechnoServe | Facebook @TechnoServe | LinkedIn @TechnoServe