Description

Crop to Cup is proud to feature its first purchase in Ethiopia from a woman-owned mid-size single farm (20-200 bag coffee farm). The purchasing process is a model for the region, where the farmer receives 88% of the FOB export price, resulting in substantially increased income compared to the normal washing station model or to growing other crops.

Mrs. Gemedech Fulasa was born not too far from where she currently lives, and she is the only child to her parents. She inherited her 4.5 hectare coffee farm when her father passed away in 2011. In the Gedeo culture, land inheritance usually goes to the male children. However, her being the only child, she has taken this opportunity to inherit the land and shine as one of few female coffee farmers and one of the highest quality coffee farmers in Yirgacheffe. Before inheriting the coffee farm, she and her husband supported their family of four children through the Kocho trade. Kocho is a local staple source of carbohydrates that is made from a trunk of a false banana tree, called Enset – a crop that now allows both additional income and improved soil moisture.

She does not use inorganic fertilizers or pesticides, and, since she processes her harvest using the natural process, her environmental impact is minimal.