The Bloom Project is an initiative of Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG), whose self-imposed goal is to set the supply chain in such a way that the survival of coffee farmers is secured in the long term through the sale of their green coffee. Particular focus is placed on creating resources so that farmers can realize their full potential on their farms.
In this way, the improvement of living conditions is to be secured in the long term.
The participating smallholders usually cultivate less than 30 hectares of coffee. They support each other in teams to improve their farms in terms of social and environmental practices. The biggest problem is usually funding. NKG, in collaboration with various banks, has managed to develop different credit solutions for the farmers. The resulting $25 million Smallholder Livelihoods Financing Facility allows farmers to borrow money quickly and easily when needed.
For example, during harvest season in Kenya, more than 1,000 farmers can deliver coffee to a washing station. Unfortunately, the process is historical and error-prone, often resulting in long delays. Communication is also poorly developed, as deliveries are recorded manually, and it can take several weeks for a cooperative to know the final outcome of its own harvest.
NKG Bloom has put the system online via an app. Each time the coffee is weighed, the process is logged in the system, a receipt is printed, and an SMS is sent to the farmer's phone with the details of the process. The records are finally clear, accurate and always up to date. During the first harvest that the system was online, more than 150,000 deliveries were digitized and transmitted.
Under NKG Bloom, Tropical Farm Management Kenya (TFMK) and farmer-owned cooperatives are increasing investments in washing station infrastructure and farmer digitization. Extension agents are working closely with cooperative members to address low yields and climate- and disease-related agronomic challenges.
Building on previous TFMK efforts, NKG Bloom additionally works with cooperatives on certification training, distribution of fertilizer and other soil nutrients, and working capital loans for infrastructure investments and other needs.
