It was planted in the 1930s by German settlers Rwanda, with the aim of supplying the home continent. The Belgian colonists had imposed strict export mandates, and in addition put very high taxes on the growers, making them practically employed by the industry. Roughly 75 percent of Rwanda's land area is used for agriculture, and more than 35 percent of the Rwandan population is made up of farmers, many of whom are dependent on coffee for at least part of their income.