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

Prime Minister of Haile Selassie, Ras Mesfin, forced farmers to leave their trees stealing the
ownership of these already existing trees and of the whole forest during the first half of 20 th
century. Now this forest is divided into small-cale farmers.
century.
And coffee was only drunk for religious purposes or eaten as buna qalaa, from 17 th
- An 82 years-old peasant (Limu genet) told me that origin of coffee is around Suntu
State Farm (what corresponds to the first interviewed story of Gejib forest). This land was
taken by force to Oromo people by a land owner at Menelik time, called Kabire, from Gondar
at the end of 19 th century. At these times, coffee was swapped locally. People couldn’t go as
far as Agaro because of lack of accessibility. First opening on external trade appeared at
Italian invasion (1936-41) and 1 feresulla (17kg) of coffee = 1 madre teresa (current money).
Before, coffee was not considered as a commodity. Local markets existed as in Seka, but
coffee was not sold. Intensification began during the Amhara domination after Italian invasion
through renting lands belonging to land owners.
- This third and most complete explanation has been written by a Suntu State Farm
worker, I translated it as it follows:
“The origin of the true coffee with the original taste is found in Limu Suntu. However,
segments that have had the chance to be in power have mixed up the taste of the coffee and
are engaged in falsified trade. Accordingly, I would like to bring to your attention the accurate
origin of coffee, meaning Limu Suntu and Enaria 58
area, which are considered as
“motherlands of coffee” since the ancient times and with the right taste.
- Tenebo Bedea’a with coffee production of special taste;
- Mito – the peasant association where Gundib State farm (Suntu State Farm) is located;
- Bedelelech up to Mencho Debni Buria;
- Min Mdenbi Buria state farm (Suntu State Farm);
- Geenaa Dujumaa and Yaatuu Tirgii Gubecho peasant associations up to Gumer State
Farm;
58 Former Limu Enarea kingdom boundaries.
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