10 mums train in coffee quality control

WOMEN should also be seen as equal partners in business and not just as mothers and housewives, The National reports.

Ten mothers recently graduated with certificates in coffee quality control in a training workshop conducted by Coffee Industry Corp (CIC) in Okopa district, Eastern Highlands.

The training attracted 86 participants from the Tarabo coffee growers association of which 10 are mothers.

Eastern Highlands province smallholder coffee growers association chairman James Korarome said women should receive equal distribution of coffee income just as their male folks.

He added that most often, it was  the case where women did  all the hard work in processing coffee while the men dominate the marketing side of it, resulting in unfair distribution of income.

The coffee quality training comes under the CIC participatory rural participatory programme (PRAP) in bringing awareness and training to coffee farmers nationwide.

Korarome also issued a challenge to the men to respect women farmers to ensure quality production of coffee beans.

Meanwhile, general manager for CIC’s research and  grower service division, Dr Mark Kenny urged the graduates to return to their coffee gardens and apply the skills acquired and become advocates of quality coffee in their area.