Additional Context: The Burundi Better Coffee Initiative was a five-year program with a total estimated cost of $16.7 million, set to run until late 2027. Mentioned in Ethos Agriculture's 2026 Coffee Barometer Report, the authors note U.S. aid cuts affecting the coffee industry have weakened the sustainability capacity, technical expertise, and institutional support systems on which the sector depends.

Devex Researcher Note: This project was financed through USDA's Food for Progress funds. The Burundi project was terminated in May 2025, while some work under Food for Progress was allowed to continue in other countries. This program was expected to increase farm income by 40% and convert 7,714 hectares of farmland to regenerative agriculture. Interventions include training in sustainable agriculture for farmers, access to better financing pipelines and markets, soil quality interventions, and the certification of coffee quality specialists to aid in the marketability and prestige of coffee in Burundi, which makes up for about 80% of the country's exports.

Source: Ethos Agriculture