REgrow Yirga Initiative Reforms And Supports Ethiopia's Coffee Industry – CoffeeTalk

Ethiopia is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest specialty coffee, with a growing global demand that highlights the potential for marketing an additional 6,000 coffee varieties for export. However, many Ethiopian coffee farmers, primarily smallholders who cultivate 95% of the coffee on less than five acres of land, struggle to see the benefits of their labor. These farmers lack access to essential resources such as potable water, education, and electricity. A significant disconnect in the supply chain results in intermediaries controlling financial flows, thus preventing fair payment to the farmers.

To address these challenges, a collaborative initiative known as REgrow Yirga was launched by the USDA, JDE, and Peet’s Coffee, aiming to reform Ethiopia’s coffee sector. Focused on Gedeo Zone, home to the distinguished Yirgacheffe coffee, the program supports 45,000 smallholder farmers and nearly 45 private wet mills. Its strategic goals include enhancing competitiveness, boosting productivity, improving the supply chain, and strengthening overall market conditions.

The program introduces a comprehensive two-year agronomy training course through the TechnoServe Coffee Farm College, aimed at educating farmers about regenerative farming practices. This curriculum emphasizes practical, knowledge-based training to equip farmers with the tools necessary to enhance their income independently. Another critical component of the program is the rejuvenation of outdated coffee trees, many of which are over 20 years old. Farmers are taught about the rejuvenation process, which involves cutting trees at the stump to allow for regrowth, a practice often resisted due to the fear of a lost income year. However, this process ultimately leads to more productive trees and greater yields.

REgrow Yirga not only invests in the education and resources of Ethiopian coffee farmers but also promotes long-term sustainability and equity within the coffee industry. By empowering smallholders with knowledge and financial independence, the program seeks to ensure that farmers receive a fair share of the value generated from their coffee. These reforms aim to serve as a model for achieving equality for marginalized farmers on a global scale.

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