Project Narrative

LOCAL PARTNER The Bokasso cooperative is part of the Sidamo Union of coffee producers. It was officially registered with the government in 1977. The cooperative members are organic and FLO certified. The Sidamo Union has helped to guaranty access to global coffee market for the Bokasso cooperative members. CONTEXTThe project takes place in Wonsho Woreda, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region of Ethiopia, which remains one of the most deforested area of the country. The region is highly threatened by unsustainable agricultural practices, illegal timber logging and sales, and use of firewood. Most of the farmers rely on coffee production for their living, but live below the poverty line.The project area is located in a hilly region between the Ethiopian Central Plateau and Southern Lowlands. Coffee is mostly grown in full-sun on steep hills, what generates severe erosion and landslides. Little densification of coffee plots added to poor agricultural management practices lead to low coffee yields and income. Furthermore, effects of climate change are already noticeable (heavy droughts, irregular rains), thus all the more impacting coffee yields and quality.Moreover, as timber has been identified as efficient source of revenue and is widely used for construction or fuelwood, it is a high priority to teach local population how to produce sustainable and diversified timber.