Ethiopia Sidamo G2 Organic is produced in the Adola Rede District of Guji, Ethiopia by 322 producer-members of the Mada Buna Anfarara Cooperative. Mada Buna Anfarara is part of the larger Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union (OCFCU).
Heirloom varieties of coffee are grown at 1800-2200 meters above sea-level using certified organic practices. Once harvested, the cherry is sorted by hand according to ripeness as determined by its color. Next, the cherry is sorted again using floatation, with immature and defective fruits skimmed away. Then the coffee is machine pulped and fermented for 24 hours to loosen the mucilage. After washing, the parchment is dried on raised beds for 10-15 days, during which it is stirred regularly to control for moisture.
Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union
OCFCU is a farmer-owned cooperative with members from across the Oromia region, which accounts for 65 percent of the country’s total coffee-growing land.
The group was established in 1999, with 34 small cooperative as members, to facilitate the direct export of coffee produced by smallholder farmers. Today, it is the largest Fair Trade producer in Ethiopia, with 217 primary cooperatives representing more than 200,000 farmer households.
The group has an excellent reputation for supporting its members and their communities—and for having women in prominent positions throughout the organization. Its pays 70 percent of its net profit back to the cooperatives, which in turn pay 70 percent of their profit to the member farmers. Farmers benefit by being paid three times during each season, which allows for greater stability.
OCFCU has constructed schools, health centers and clean water supply stations and it also maintains a bank where members can receive pre-harvest financing and other financial services.
