Stakeholder Perceptions on Geographic Zoning in Rwanda’s Coffee Sector and Opportunities for Policy Adjustment

In 2016, the government of Rwanda (GOR) implemented a zoning policy in the coffee sector, which entails the development of geographic “zones” around coffee washing stations (CWSs). Coffee farmers within a geographic zone must sell to a specific CWS; that CWS must only buy from designated farmers. The stated purpose of this policy is to better organize the industry, improve the relationship between CWSs and farmers, improve traceability of coffee, and reduce the role of middlemen (local traders who previously purchased coffee from farmers and then re-sold it to CWSs). Looking back on the first year of the policy’s implementation, we ask the following questions. According to stakeholders, to what extent did zoning meet its goals? How did zoning affect coffee stakeholders, such as farmers, middlemen, cooperatives, and others? Finally, what—if any— solutions or modifications might improve the policy