Established in 2003, the Gatare washing station holds an important position in Nyamasheke District, Western Province, as one of the first stations to process high-quality coffee for export. Despite being located in a competitive area where several washing stations share farming communities, Gatare's initial establishment has cemented its reputation and influence. Surrounded by hills covered in coffee trees, the station has consistently performed well in the Cup of Excellence competition, frequently placing among the top lots.
Gatare boasts a large processing capacity, equipped with a 3 ton/hour McKinnon disc pulper, washing channels, dry fermentation tanks, and multiple soaking tanks. The station covers just 2 hectares but supports 1,096 local growers, who collectively contributed 1,000 tons of cherries in 2017. However, competition from nearby stations has reduced annual production, with 600 tons processed in 2019 and an estimated 400 tons in 2023.
Since RTC took over in 2016, the station has been managed by Fred, who brings a passion for learning and sees knowledge as the key to unlocking opportunities. Gatare employs seven full-time staff and an additional 90 seasonal workers, 80% of whom are women.
Farmers contributing to Gatare often have very small plots, averaging only 1 hectare, and some farms house as few as 10 coffee trees, among other crops. However, all participating farmers receive training from RTC to maximize the quality and yield of their coffee trees.
