Limmu Kossa

When Gidhe Berhe created Limmu Kossa in 2000, he did so with the vision of contributing something to the region. He knew coffee could offer great opportunities, but he understood that he was a foreigner from a different part of Ethiopia coming to a land of proud and independent Oromo people. Gidhe didn’t just care for the native trees and nourish the soil in a regenerative paradise, but developed a micro-economy in the region that benefited everyone. Gideh provided seedlings and assistance to surrounding farmers and developed the community projects villagers asked for: a church, schools, medical centers, even roads.

Enter Abiy. Translator, development agent, Dutch resident but with local Oromo roots… He became interested in coffee, and in this particular project, in 2004 when he met Gidhe. Our Ethiopia project is founded in full on the harmony between Abiy and Gidhe. If Gidhe is the local leader, Abiy is the ambassador. Without Gidhe, there would be no island of hope in the region; without Abiy, nobody here would know about it...

Today, Limmu Kossa's efforts have spread to another region: The Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve, one of the most sustainable coffee projects we've encountered. Additionally, neighbours are now taking their coffee quality to the next level, exporting to the international market for the first time through us.