A study case on coffee (Coffea arabica): Limu Coffe - IRD

Producers
A thirty-seven-years-old farmer of Genet surrounds: “Collectors (sabsabiis 11 or
sebsabies) come to the village with their trucks and bring the coffee to chaanyiis 12
(suppliers
& wholesalers) who will process it. But sebsabies are not asking about quality. They are just
collecting quantities. Even producers don’t care about quality. I sold them one feresulla for
150 birr (8.82 birr/kg) what is a good price.” 27 th June 2009.
A forty-five-years-old model farmer living Genet: “Sabsabiis are oriented by
chaanyiis to collect according to quality but sabsabiis “are collecting during the night”. It
means they are focusing on amounts, even buying coffee eyes closed or on the balance. So
there are conflicting ideas between sabsabiis and chaanyiis. In the market, chaanyiis concert
with farmers and sometimes advise them to sell quality coffee to sabsabiis. But not all farmers
are on the same standard: careless farmers exist. Some object coffee quality while careless
sabsabies are fighting with chaanyiis. But sometimes government also asks farmers to pay
taxes before harvesting time. So, not to go to jail, farmers collect too early and in this <strong>case</strong>
are accused of mixing full and no full ripened berries, and leaves.”28 th June 2009.
A seventy-eight-years-old farmer, member of the Babo service cooperative:
“Harvesting full ripened cherries, good agricultural practices (tillage, stumping, fertilizing),
with no chemicals, and well drying coffee (to loose at least 80% of the water part of coffee),
and then after drying, stocking in good conditions (well ventilated, constant temperature, no
such moisture) allows quality. Quality is on management and environment. I know that caring
makes the quality. That’s why sebsabies paid me 180 birr/feresulla (10.6 birr/kg) which is a
good price”2 nd July 2009.
Akhrabies
A twenty-nine-years-old Genet supplier: “I am orienting sebsabies to collect quality
coffee. It means full ripened cherries and well dried coffee: full ripened and high bright
cherries and high bright dried coffee. I deal with ten to fifteen sebsabies according to the
production levels. I paid them 150 to 190 birr/feresulla for dried coffee. Me: “Do you know
11 Amharic. Refer 6.1.1) Function and role of each actor of the value chain.
12 Amharic. Synonyms: chagn or chaanyii. Refer 6.1.1) Function and role of each actor of the value chain.
11