cuppers  The Coffee Industry is embracing young people who are willing to pursue coffee cupping.  Most of the African producing nations have bodies regulating the cuppers – interested youths can find out what it takes to be a cupper.  But with the trainings from CQI of America, most youths have risen to be Q-Graders – Normally two weeks.  As the industry grows, you will find many cuppers in the mills, traders cupping rooms, coffee shops, roasters and marketers.

Training  When our parents learnt everything about coffee and held it close to their hearts mostly for job security, young people are doing contrary to that.  The few that have the knowledge are increasingly ensuring that the information is greatly spreading to their fellow youths.  Hence, you will find that most of the training institutions have instructors as young people.

Research  This is an area restricted to the research institutions but young people are taking projects geared mostly in quality improvement, agronomy, etc.  However, it is still an area that requires engagement from as many are as interested in handling the different research areas.

Apps developers  With now everything going digital, there is a need to digitize the activities in the coffee value chain.  Am challenging the young people to develop Apps customized for African countries.  Examples of the Apps are: ‘barista’, my starbucks, coffee buzz, dunkin’ run, etc

Barista

CAN THE YOUTHS BE INVOLVED IN COFFEE MARKETING?  After coming with such good cash it is true that there is a good reward in coffee farming.  How is the reward possible? 1.African coffees are mostly exported as raw coffee and that is how the above figures are arrived at. 2.However, when youths are involved, more technology can be tapped by ensuring that this coffee is marketed online hence embracing ‘direct’ marketing. 3.It is not cast on stone that African coffees have to be marketed as raw but young people can be involved in selling coffee in their local countries.

TECHNOLOGY + YOUTH + COFFEE = ?  If for sure the youths are engaged in coffee the industry will definitely have to change in as many ways as follows: 1.Applications and programs that monitor coffee growth and inputs necessary will be developed. 2.Hence better farming methods will be embraced. 3.Online marketing of coffees will be embraced. 4.The coffee industry will grow as at the moment is on the decline 5.Coffee consumption will increase. 6.More coffee shops will be opened. 7.And…………..(the list is endless)

TECHNOLOGY + YOUTH + COFFEE = ?  If for sure the youths are engaged in coffee the industry will definitely have to change in as many ways as follows: 1.Applications and programs that monitor coffee growth and inputs necessary will be developed. 2.Hence better farming methods will be embraced. 3.Online marketing of coffees will be embraced. 4.The coffee industry will grow as at the moment is on the decline 5.Coffee consumption will increase. 6.More coffee shops will be opened. 7.And…………..(the list is endless)

WAY FORWARD? After all is said and done, the youths have to be engaged in coffee at: 1.Production as Farmers, Workers, Mentees or Decision makers. 2.Factory level as workers, trainees or managers. 3.Institutions as trainers and researchers. 4.Market as investors, innovators and consumers. 5.Mind as the change we want in the coffee industry.

And hence as youths: “WE SHALL NOT PROCAFFINATE”