Women Coffee Farmers Drive Climate-Smart Innovation in Kaffa Zone through Carbon Credit Pilot

Women coffee farmers in Ethiopia’s Kaffa Zone are emerging as leaders of a climate-smart transformation that links agroforestry, livelihoods, and carbon finance. The progress was showcased during a field mission conducted from 21–24 January 2026 under the project Empowering Ethiopian Coffee: A South–South Approach to Climate Finance and Carbon Credits.

The mission was led by the Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Ethiopian Forestry Development (EFD). The delegation included OSSREA Project Manager Alemu Tesfaye, EFD Senior Climate Advisor Dr. Yonas Yohannes, and AECID Regional Programs Head Aurora Martin.

Partnerships for Climate-Resilient Coffee

Following travel from Addis Ababa to Jimma by air and onward to Bonga by road, the delegation engaged with Bonga University to explore collaboration on applied research, extension support, and carbon monitoring in coffee agroforestry systems. Visits to university demonstration sites—covering coffee nurseries, banana plots, fish farming, and poultry units—highlighted the potential of integrated, climate-resilient farming models.

Institutional coordination was further strengthened through discussions with the Kaffa Zone Administration, where Vice Administrator Ato Demelash confirmed support for establishing a multi-stakeholder Project Advisory Committee. The first meeting is scheduled for February, aligned with an upcoming regional conference, to guide implementation and ensure local ownership.

Women-Led Nursery Scaling Sustainable Production

A central highlight of the mission was the visit to the women-managed coffee nursery in Gawite Kebele, which is on track to produce approximately 300,000 coffee seedlings. Managed by a newly established women’s cooperative, the nursery is a cornerstone of the project’s gender-responsive approach.

Through open dialogue, cooperative members raised operational questions related to workload, resources, and sustainability. These were addressed through facilitated discussion, culminating in

the signing of a formal agreement with OSSREA that entrusts the cooperative with nursery management through the next planting season—strengthening women’s leadership and institutional responsibility.

Encouraging Field Results amid Climate Stress

The delegation visited multiple farm plots of women participating in the carbon pilot, observing integrated systems of coffee, banana, and shade trees, supported by household-level vermicompost units. Overall performance was encouraging, with strong seedling survival and healthy vermicompost activity.

At the same time, the mission documented prolonged dry conditions and visible moisture stress on crops. Technical guidance was provided on practical moisture-conservation measures—such as mulching, soil cover management, and micro-basin techniques—to help farmers adapt to climate variability.

Building Readiness for Carbon Finance

On the final day, targeted training on Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) was delivered to Development Agents, woreda representatives, and six women peer influencers

supporting neighboring communities. Participants provided feedback on the draft MRV training manual, which OSSREA will revise and roll out to all participating farmers and cooperatives.

A dedicated dialogue with women peer influencers underscored their critical role in translating technical guidance into everyday practice, strengthening community trust, and accelerating adoption of climate-smart methods.

Looking Ahead

The mission concluded with a joint debriefing with Development Agents and woreda officials, setting out next steps to sustain momentum at farm and nursery levels. Expressing satisfaction with the progress, AECID Project Lead Aurora Martin reaffirmed the agency’s commitment and noted the project’s potential to deliver carbon revenues that directly benefit women coffee producers.

As Ethiopia advances its engagement in carbon markets, the Kaffa Zone experience is shaping up as a practical, women-led model for inclusive climate finance in the coffee sector.