ETHIOPIA
- REGION: Sidamo
- PRODUCER: OROMIA Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union (OCFCU)
- PROCESS METHOD: Washed
- ALTITUDE: 1500 - 2300m above sea level
- VARIETAL: Local Heirloom Cultivars
Oromia is the birthplace of coffee. Founded in June 1999 with 34 certified organic co-operatives, OROMIA Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union has now grown to 311 primary cooperatives. OCFCU became Fair-trade certified in 2002 and has grown to be the largest Fairtrade coffee producer in Ethiopia.
The community uses organic agricultural methods such as intercropping to enhance soil fertility as well as striving for environmental sustainability, OCFCU has built 56 clean water wells, four health clinics and also promote gender equality by women having a prominent and central position in all areas within the organisation.
With the rate of deforestation and the prevalence of diseases and pests, patterns of rainfall change and it becomes harder to grow coffee successfully. Oromia is one of the first producer groups to pilot the new Fairtrade Climate Standard. It means 20, 000 coffee farmers can improve their living conditions and income, while also becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change. Read more about energy-efficient projects currently underway
