Abebe Hewiso Natural Gr. 1 - Lalisaa

As part of the Lalisaa project, Habebe receives comprehensive agronomy support from Sucafina Ethiopia. Through farmer training sessions, he learns new techniques in cultivation, harvesting, and processing. His commitment to producing high-quality coffee and exporting it through the Lalisaa project helps him access better markets and increase his earnings. The Lalisaa project is designed to empower smallholder farmers by shortening the supply chain, improving quality, and increasing yields. 

On his 3-hectare farm located in in Bona Zuria, Habebe cultivates JARC74110 variety coffee, a local landrace variety—historically referred to as Ethiopian heirloom. The high altitudes of 2,112 meters above sea level produce the ideal conditions of warm days and cool nights for sweet, dense cherry. His holistic approach enriches the soil and enhances biodiversity, benefiting the entire farm ecosystem. 

Abebe selectively handpicks ripe, red cherry and processes it on his farm. He lays cherry on raised beds to dry. He rakes cherry frequently to ensure even drying and covers it at the hottest part of the day and at night. It takes approximately 23 to 28 days for cherry to dry.  

Lalisaa is a term used to describe something that is flourishing and growing. Our Lalisaa coffees, initiated by Sucafina staff, began with the recognition that the supply chain in Ethiopia was failing to benefit smallholder farmers or reward them for producing quality coffee. 

The program encourages strong growing practices, rewards the production of quality coffee and helps farmers take control of their part of the supply chain by partnering directly with smallholders.  

New farmers are onboarded each year for a training program that is intended to help farmers improve yields and quality while also accessing new markets and financial services. Farmers in the program participate in a wide range of activities including designing, and later revising, a farm management plan, accessing financing for larger farm projects and more. 

Currently, Lalissa is compromised of 97 farmers located within the acclaimed coffee-producing regions of Kochere, Gedeb, Yirgacheffe, Shakiso, Bule Hora and Sidama. In addition to working with farmers to improve quality and yield, Sucafina Ethiopia is, through Lalisaa, making introductions between roasters and farmers. By bringing roasters to visit farmers and begin discussions, Lalisaa coffees are helping make connections and developing relationships between farmers and their potential clients. This will enable direct trade relationships that can benefit both farmers and roasters.

The Sidama (sometimes referred to as Sidamo) region of Southern Ethiopia holds the distinction as one of the three trademarked coffee regions of Ethiopia. Alongside Harrar and Yirgacheffe, Sidama holds a Designation of Origin for coffee grown in the region. That's unsurprising when you consider the high altitudes of 1,550 to 2,200 meters above sea level, plentiful rainfall and fertile soil that makes the coffee grown in this region so remarkable. 

The Sidama region is named after the indigenous ethnic group, the Sidama, who call the region their home. On Sidama’s Eastern border lies the large regions of Arsi and Bale while to the West, Sidama is bordered by Gamogofa. 

Sidamo lies in the path of the Great Rift Valley and thanks to this, the countryside of Sidama is lush and green. There are several freshwater lakes that provide drinking and agricultural water and account for the densely populated nature of this region.

The Great Rift Valley spans from the northernmost tip of Ethiopia across Kenya and all the way to the southernmost region of Tanzania. It is home to some of the oldest-known fossils of humankind, which suggests its importance in the early development of humanity.