Coffee is one of the most important globally traded agricultural commodities, with consumption occurring mostly in developed countries and production in developing ones. When discussing coffee production we cannot forget one important topic the coffee farmer who spends his days cultivating coffee and bases his livelihood on it. Coffee Farmers are the backbone of the coffee industry, as they are the source of coffee that we so much love and require. Even though these agronomists are the origin of the well-known black gold, when you look at their socio-economic status it is nothing short of heartbreaking. They only benefit so scarcely that it barely covers the production cost and their life doesn’t show much improvement.
Therefore it is no surprise to hear that coffee farmers are leaving the coffee industry to a sector much more generous to them than coffee cultivation. We now see many coffee farmers shifting their gaze towards other products such as ‘Chat’ a locally well-known amphetamine containing green leaf stimulant where the farmers get their labor’s worth. This is a devastating outcome to our country (where coffee is our major export commodity) as well as the international coffee drinking society. Should we go on drinking our coffee without worrying about the poor people who spend their lives at the mercy of the elements so we can have a warm drink when we get up in the morning, when we need a booster during the day, and when we meet with friends, or just enjoy a cup alone? If our answer is yes it is unfortunate that we can’t keep on doing that because production will decline over time.
As a company that bases its business on coffee, we aim to encourage our farmers and strive to benefit their families to keep them on the coffee track. Our station is located in the Sidama region where the population size is 8.8 million; nearly 90% of the Sidama live a life centered on agriculture. Even though there are other crops perhaps the most important source of income is coffee so it is very important that the coffee they grow is bought from them at a fair price so they are able to support their family. The Sidama farmers have been affected by hunger caused by declining world market prices for coffee. We as a company and everyone as a society are obligated to make sure the ethical background of the coffee we are supplied. We also believe it is essential to give back to the community even after the harvest season is through. We should support and aid the families with necessities and other needs that might arise in the middle of the year due to the fact that the payment they acquire during harvest season won’t get them by the whole year. Taking these actions not only benefits the farmers but also fuels them to cultivate good quality coffee. They will accomplish the realization of providing better quality coffee and at the same time get compensated for their efforts.
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