Catherine Bashiama, a mother of 12, is cultivating a coffee tree she raised from a seedling in Western South Sudan, where coffee farming is a novel endeavour. Encouraged by the rare excelsa variety, known for its resistance to climate challenges, Bashiama hopes this venture will lift her family out of poverty and enable her children to receive an education.
Excelsa coffee, native to South Sudan and other African nations, has sparked interest as global coffee prices soar due to climate change-related difficulties in traditional coffee-producing countries. Left in a state of vulnerability, farmers like Bashiama seek new opportunities in this emerging market.
Despite South Sudan’s historical absence from the coffee scene, with previous cultivation interrupted by conflict, community efforts are reigniting local coffee production. Farmers are receiving seedlings and training from Equatoria Teak, aiming to restore coffee cultivation as a sustainable livelihood. Initial trials suggest the excelsa variety can withstand harsh conditions better than other coffee types, drawing attention from potential buyers such as Nespresso.
However, the journey to establish a coffee industry faces hurdles like inadequate infrastructure, high transportation costs, and ongoing security threats. With tensions heightened following political unrest, many residents remain wary and hesitant to invest time and resources into long-term coffee production.
Community leaders underscore the importance of coffee for local economic independence, allowing families to rely less on government aid. For farmers like Taban John, coffee profits could mean improved transport and education for their children, offering a glimmer of hope in a region challenged by instability.
Despite the optimism, lasting success in coffee farming demands a commitment to overcoming the current instability and the various environmental challenges. With fires threatening crops, there is a need for accountability and better risk management.
As locals embrace the new coffee initiative, they face a balancing act between immediate survival and the aspirational long-term benefits of cultivating a crop that may significantly impact their futures. While the path to a thriving coffee industry in South Sudan remains fraught with challenges, the community’s resilience and commitment to sustainable farming may ultimately pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.