In 2010, 113 of the 1600 residents of a Kebele ("neighborhood") in Ethiopia's Oromia state called Boto banded together with the intent of producing quality coffee. On April 13, they registered themselves as a cooperative named Duromina, which translates to "improve their lives" in Affan Oromo. In the few years that have followed, the Duromina Cooperative has certainly lived up to that name.

• Bean Details

  Producers

  113+ Producers of the Duromina Cooperative

  Country

  Ethiopia
  

  Region

  Goma Woreda

  Cultivar

  Ethiopian Heirloom

  Process

  Washed

  Elevation

  1900 - 2100 Meters

  Harvest

  October - March

  Tasting Notes

  Juniper, Pomegranate, Textured

• Farmlevel Story

  Farmlevel

  Prior to the creation of the cooperative, farmers from Boto would bring their harvest to local markets for private traders to buy. The sales never amounted to much, as the traders would determine the price, which averaged between 1.5-3.25 birr (.07-.38 USD) per pound. Given these prices, it is no surprise that coffee benefited the farmers little, if at all.

  This all changed in 2010. With the help of TechnoServe (an NPO based out of Washington, DC), the Duromina Cooperative was able to build a wet-mill, and begin producing some truly exceptional coffees. TechnoServe provided the coap with technical support and business advice, as well as connecting them with buyers who recognized the quality of their coffee, and paid much higher prices for it. Coffee from Duromina now sells for nearly five times as much as it used to. It is also expected to yield a 50% increase to each farmer's income.

  The members of the coop (which now totals more than 130) understand how much quality coffee benefits them. They highly value cooperation and actively help each other. They will share their experiences with one another, trading advice and farming practices that might help their fellow farmer. We have seen such a result in the coffees year after year.