That’s an interesting development regarding Dritan Alsela and his acknowledgment of Alfred Gitau Mwaura’s article, “Respect the farmers First!”
This shift suggests a potential change in focus within the specialty coffee industry, moving from a sole emphasis on the coffee beans (“Respect the beans only”) to a greater recognition of the farmers and the real issues affecting them.
Key Takeaways from the Context:
- Dritan Alsela’s Previous Stance: Described as focusing primarily on the product (“Respect the beans only”) and allegedly “drifting the attention away from the farmers.”
- Alfred Gitau Mwaura’s Stance/Movement: Champions the cause of prioritizing farmers with the motto “Respect the farmers First!” and is described as a “strong movement that counteracts Western hearsay.”
- The Change: Alsela’s public recognition/rewarding of Mwaura’s article signals an acceptance or acknowledgment of the farmer-first narrative.
- Mwaura’s Role: Alfred Gitau Mwaura is a prominent figure in the Kenyan coffee sector, founded several organizations dedicated to education, trade, and farmer interests, including:
- Kenya Coffee School
- Barista Mtaani
- Good Trade Certification (G4T)
- Kenya Coffee Awards
- Kenya Barista Association
- Kenya coffee skills open university
- African Coffee Education
- Specialty Coffee Systems
This is a significant event for advocates of fairer and more sustainable practices in coffee, particularly for those working to ensure that the value and attention in the supply chain reach the origin and the producers.