The Ladies' Lot Washed A+

Introducing “The Ladies' Lot” by Mountain Harvest, where we believe that gender inclusion is not only essential for impacting households but also a good business sense for coffee communities. Reports show that women often comprise up to 70 percent of the manual labor on coffee farms—planting, picking, processing, sorting—yet are far less represented in decision-making, trading, analysis, or business ownership. Therefore, to change the narrative of Ugandan coffee, we must change the lives of women within the coffee supply chain. We argue that women's involvement in coffee production and decision-making will increase productivity of the farm, quality of coffee, and bring wider interest in the coffees Mountain Harvest produces with smallholder farmers of Uganda.

In 2022, we launched a Gender Inclusion Strategy in partnership with a local nonprofit partner to promote economic growth in rural Ugandan communities. Our fourfold strategy includes advocating for gender equality within our staff, providing equity technical training, promoting community-driven initiatives, and empowering women through access to financial resources. Our staff, hailing from the communities we serve, uniquely translates this strategy to their communities.

Since our inception in 2017, we have been able to increase the certification of 13% women to 39% women farmers; increase women's leadership within our management team from 14% to 57%; develop services and professionalism for the women within our supply chain who are not farmers, such as the 100 women who hand sort our green coffee, offering savings groups and access to microfinance; increase women's extension services access by holding trainings closer to homesteads at times women are not busy with their daily chores; offer $25,000 of micofinance within our first three months of programming; and provide a third payment to women producing high-quality coffees sold as a microlot. Ultimately, we not only seek inclusion, but transformation.

Discover microlots segmented by community as we mobilize women farmers for greater impact at the household level. We anticipate growing these capacities to offer larger volumes from the women of Mount Elgon. For this particular ladies' lot, expect delightful notes of citrus fruits, green apple, black tea, and biscuit. Experience the transformative power of coffee and join us in shaping a more inclusive and empowered future.

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