Coffee is produced in huge amounts in Ethiopia, especially in the Oromia region, but quality problems have been a big challenge. To address these, coffee-producing farmers in the regions are changing their methods.
Previously they used to dry their products on the floor and their beds, a method that has a significant impact on the environment, including deforestation and degradation, because they use wood to construct the bed. This consumption should be reduced in different ways.
The farmers are now trying to control post-harvest loss by constructing beds with by-products of Sorghum stalk, which contributes to environment conservation. Sorghum stalk is a cheap, available resource. Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union has also been providing training to improve production quality.
Another example is Swaziland Farmers Cooperative Union, where post-harvest work focuses on storing maize in metal tanks.
The maize storage areas are not built to standard due to financial constraints and, therefore, different application is used depending on the farmers’ knowledge. Some fumigate the tank, some use weevil tablets or Actellic Dust, while others burn aloe to ashes and use it to control weevils.
The Union has stepped in to help its members so that middlemen don’t take advantage of the situation. The lack of processing facilities has also contributed to poor harvest handling. On average, there is 30-40% poor harvest handling due to lack of processing facilities and potential for value addition. The Union has engaged in a turnaround strategy via a new business model, which aims to provide a support mechanism that will revive and enhance productivity and profitability.
The main objective of this strategy is to transform the co-operative movement in the country and increase its meaningful contribution to rural economic development by embracing appropriate practices, and providing leverage for relevant service delivery.
