Plans to grow coffee market

Bula Coffee founder Luke Fryett is committed to expanding their markets while also supporting local communities.

He stated last week during the opening of their headquarters in Mataqe, Sigatoka, that the more coffee they sell, the more people they can buy coffee from, and the more people they can provide a stable income to.

“As you can see, we have a few coffee plants out there,” Mr Fryett explained.

“We’re experimenting with different methods of growing coffee and caring for it.

“We probably get between ten and fifteen women a year who approach us and say, ‘I want to grow my own coffee.’”

Mr Fryett stated that they did not wish to simply provide them with seedlings to plant.

“We’re experimenting out here with this one.

“We’re experimenting with different methods of cultivation and different varieties of coffee plants.”

He added that they were also experimenting with different types of fertilisers, including organic fertilisers.

“The women have seen that coffee is a viable source of income and are now ready to take the next step.

“So we need to be one step ahead of them in order to assist them; we cannot assist them unless we know.”

He stated that they intended to process coffee at their headquarters but also provide housing, classrooms for training, and other amenities.

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