Farm or Region History / Background

Rutuma FCS is located in the heart of Nyeri, just outside of the town of Karatina. The cooperative has five factories and was created in 2005 after three coops were combined. The water used for processing the cherries comes from the Ruthagati Dam.

Farm / Estate / Processing / Techniques

The first step is for the farmers to sort their cherries. Only the ripe cherries are being accepted for pulping. After pulping, the parchment is left in the tanks so that it can ferment overnight. Once the parchment is fermented it is separated into P1, P2, P3 and P lights and dried for 10-16 days. The factory uses raised beds to dry the parchment.

Environmental/ Sustainability, Social/Community Development

Just outside the factory is a dam, also called Ruthagati. With this, the members are able to provide clean water for their cattle. Also, the farmers are using the cherry pulps and manure as fertilizer for their trees.