Region: Wegida, Yirgacheffe, Gedeo, SERS
Elevation: 2200 masl
About: Since 2022, Nigist Girmachew has been managing her three-hectare Yirgacheffe farm while raising seven children, after inheriting it from her late husband. At 2,200 metres above sea level, her heirloom landraces thrive beneath false banana shade trees, without chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Though technically organic, certification remains costly and out of reach for many Ethiopian farmers.
Nigist processes all her coffee naturally, a practical choice balancing limited time and resources. By selling directly to our woman-led partner exporter, she earns a higher price than through local washing stations.
As part of the Ama Commitment Income Diversification Scheme, Nigist benefits from a fairer pricing model: 30% paid upfront and the balance on delivery to Addis Ababa, ensuring greater financial security.
Alongside coffee, she grows avocado, potatoes, collard greens and enset—nurtured in rich vertisols and luvisols, supporting both her family’s diet and providing income diversification.
