Coffee Farming in Cuanza Sul Province: A Pillar of Development and Employment

By Jorge Chaves, Founding Member of RECAFé ANGOLA and Coordinator for Cuanza Sul Province

Coffee farming in Cuanza Sul Province has emerged as the leading commodity generating employment opportunities for residents. According to the management of Fazenda Cabuta in the municipality of Líbolo, the emphasis on the industrialization of coffee has significantly enhanced the value of local labor, particularly among the youth, and boosted production.

Fazenda Cabuta has become the main economic driver of the municipality and a strategic partner of the local administration, represented by Fátima Cunha, who expressed her satisfaction with the close collaboration with Fazenda Cabuta.

Beyond administrative matters, Fazenda Cabuta offers essential benefits to the local communities, including:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Employment opportunities
• Transportation

Moreover, the farm provides leisure activities for the youth, such as community football matches.

The farm promotes gender balance in employment, with a notable predominance of women in the productive sector.

In the current harvest season, Fazenda Cabuta expanded its workforce due to the extensive cultivation of Robusta coffee and, to a lesser extent, Arabica coffee. This expansion resulted in the hiring of an additional 250 employees, bringing the total number of field workers to 750. In the industry, the two prominent national brands are:

• Café Bela Negra
• Calulo

Preserving the aromatic characteristics of Robusta coffee is a significant achievement for these national brands, which are also aiming for international markets.

In the past two years, the farm has produced approximately 270 to 300 tons of coffee annually. However, this year's production was negatively impacted by heavy rains in the province, resulting in a 50% decrease compared to previous years.

The visionary direction of the farm, as presented to RECAFé ANGOLA, indicates strong investments in the sector. Additionally, Fazenda Cabuta is investing in ecotourism, making its mark with beautiful landscapes, fresh air, visitor accommodations, and national cuisine.

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This field visit to various farms in the province reaffirms RECAFé ANGOLA's ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting coffee farming as a driver of economic and social development in Cuanza Sul.

This article was executed and translated by the startup Talentos Multiplus.