The story behind

The coffee from the Nano Challa cooperative comes from the surroundings of the small town of Agaro, in the district of Gera. Located in Jimma appellation, this terroir is known for the quality of its coffees. Here, forests are still dense. The farmers use polyculture systems, a way to balance subsistence production and cash crops on the same plots. Coffee crop is ancient in Jimma; farmers are used to seeing their grand-parents planting coffee coming from wild coffee trees. Agricultural practices ensure continuity of ancient know-how and the protection of a rich natural environment by producing high-quality coffee.

THE STORY OF THE PRODUCER This Nano Challa cooperative was created in 2004 with 25 small producers from the surroundings of Agaro. Then, this structure has grown a lot. Since 2010, 400 farmers are included on it. In 2010 too, Nano Challa cooperative joined Technoserve’s program to work especially on coffee quality. Technoserve is an American non-profit organization with a strong presence in Ethiopia. Today, Nano Challa Cooperative is linked to larger organization, a Union of Cooperatives, called Kata Muduga Multipurpose Farmer’s Cooperative Union. All farmers included in Nano Challa are working farms from maximum 3 hectares area. They find, through the cooperative, a way to share some of the important infrastructures as washing station, storage or transport.