The Ethiopian Coffee Association (ECA), a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s coffee industry since 1969, has embarked on a vital project to enhance the livelihoods of female-headed farming households in the renowned Yirgachefe region. This initiative, supported by a grant from the Belgian development agency Enabel’s Trade for Development Centre (TDC), directly tackles one of the most significant challenges to the sector’s sustainability: the declining productivity of old-aged coffee trees.
Presentation of the Organisation
Founded as a non-profit trade association, the ECA is a pivotal business support organization representing the entire coffee value chain. Its 558 members include coffee producers, processors, roasters, and exporters, who collectively account for a massive 92% of Ethiopia’s coffee export market. The association is dedicated to promoting Ethiopian coffee globally, advocating for the industry, and offering crucial services like training and market linkage to its members, which include over 1.2 million smallholder farmers through various cooperative unions.
TDC Support
Low productivity from aging coffee trees presents a serious problem for Ethiopia’s two million smallholder farmers. To improve yields, farmers are often pushed to expand plantations, sometimes at the expense of forests. The “Enhancing coffee productivity of female-headed farmers through Rejuvenation of old-aged coffee trees in Yirgachefe Coffee Farmers’ Cooperatives Union” project was designed to provide a more sustainable solution.
The project focuses on “stumping,” an agronomic practice where old, unproductive stems are cut back to encourage the growth of fresh, stronger, and more productive ones. This method has been shown to increase productivity from 3 to 5 kilograms of red cherry per tree and provides a harvest within 18 months—a significant improvement over the more than three years required when uprooting and replanting trees.
With the support of the TDC grant, the ECA is implementing a targeted, hands-on approach:
- Beneficiary Selection: The project identified 50 female-headed coffee farmers within the Dilla Zuria and Wonago woredas (districts) of Yirgachefe.
- Capacity Building: A five-day training on sustainable farming practices was delivered between January 28 and February 1, 2025. This equipped the farmers with knowledge on stumping techniques, biodiversity conservation, and soil and water management.
- Contractual Partnership: Demonstrating a strong commitment, 47 of the 50 selected farmers signed a contract with the ECA. This agreement outlines the project’s objectives and the responsibilities of each party, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding.
- Provision of Tools: The ECA purchased and delivered essential stumping tools, including bow saws, pruning shears, and safety equipment, directly to the farmers who signed the contract.
- Implementation: The stumping of old trees began on February 16, 2025. Despite a planned target of 20,000 trees, heavy rainfall has slowed progress, with 11,380 trees (57%) stumped so far. The work will continue as weather conditions permit.
The TDC funding, for a total project budget of under €60,000, enables the ECA to cover the costs of training, purchasing tools, and compensating farmers for potential income loss during the initial rejuvenation period. This financial support is instrumental in de-risking the transition to more sustainable and productive farming practices for the beneficiaries.
By focusing on female-headed households and promoting an environmentally sound technique, this partnership between the Ethiopian Coffee Association and the Trade for Development Centre not only aims to increase coffee yields but also to build a more resilient and equitable future for Ethiopia’s coffee-growing communities.
