1. Presentation of LIFMCU
Limu Inara Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Union (LIFMCU) was established in 2006 by 11 primary cooperatives representing 3,083 member farmers (2,359 men and 724 women). It is located in western Ethiopia, in the Oromia Regional State.
Since its creation, the union has expanded significantly: it now brings together 126 primary cooperatives and 51,000 members (39,000 men and 12,000 women). Its capital has also increased to ETB 53.6 million (approximately €300,000). Most of its member cooperatives are situated in key coffee-growing areas.
All primary cooperatives are Fairtrade certified and sell their coffee under Fairtrade terms. The union operates four main business activities: agricultural commodity trading, supply of agricultural inputs, capacity building for members, and the distribution of consumer goods to members and the local community. LIFMCU has strengthened its mission over time by supporting smallholders in producing sustainable, high-quality Fairtrade and organic coffee for both local and international markets.
The union is widely recognised for its Limu organic, Fairtrade-certified Arabica coffee, known for its distinctive winy flavour developed under natural forest shade conditions.
LIFMCU serves as an umbrella organisation for four districts: Limu Kosa, Limu Seka, Chora Bottor and Nono Benja. These areas offer excellent conditions for coffee cultivation, with annual rainfall of 1,500–1,800 mm and temperatures ranging from 12°C to 28°C.
Fairtrade-certified primary cooperatives process washed coffee at their own washing and drying stations. Farmers pick ripe cherries across the four Limu districts and deliver them to the union, where the coffee is washed, dried and processed. LIFMCU produces high-quality, sustainable Limu coffee through both fully washed and sun-dried methods. Once processed, the coffee is transported to the port of Djibouti for export.
2. TDC Support
In its application to the TDC, LIMU expressed a clear vision for its future. While proud of its strengths—including a distinctive flavour profile, numerous certifications, and abundant production capacity—the union also identified key areas for improvement. These “biggest weaknesses” include “Limited Digitalisation Capabilities,” “Concentration in Business (Need for Diversification/value add),” and “Weakness in Promotion and Marketing.”
To address these challenges, LIMU is seeking comprehensive coaching to become a more “self-reliant, globally competitive entity.” The partnership with the TDC will focus on three main areas of marketing and sales to increase market access:
- Approaching new customers: Developing strategies to present the cooperative effectively and formulate compelling arguments to convince new clients, thereby expanding its market reach and reducing reliance on a limited set of buyers.
- Understanding market trends: Analysing evolving consumer preferences and quality standards to ensure its products meet market demands and regulatory requirements, particularly in European markets.
- Developing communication and promotion tools: Creating a distinctive brand identity, a professional website, and leveraging social media to showcase the cooperative’s unique story, products, and certifications.
