An Overview of Coffee Research in Ethiopia

IPFRI and EDRI Organized Conference on

Ethiopia’s Coffee Value Chain: Evidence towards improved investments and policies,

September 15th, 2015, Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Taye Kufa

Senior Coffee Researcher-Agronomist

EIAR, Jimma Agricultural Research Center

kufataye@yahoo.com, Cell phone: +251-912 03 29

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Presentation outline

1. Introduction

2. Opportunities & challenges

3. Coffee germplasm conservation

4. Coffee Research

5. Technology transfer

6. Coffee research strategic plan

7. Concluding remarks

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1. Introduction: Ethiopian coffee sector

• Ethiopia = coffee home

• About 20 million people (25%) for livelihood.

• Four broad coffee production systems

• A total of 4.7 million small-holders (90 %)

• Estimated total coffee area = 561,761.82 ha

• Annual total production = 419,980,156 kg (productivity = 748 kg/ha).

• A leading export crop (60-70%, reduced to 22 - 35%)

• Share of total value traded coffees (unwashed 59 % & washed 41%)

• The 5th largest global exporter & leading arabica producer in Africa.

• Exports green coffees to 58 countries, European markets (53 %)

• National statistical coffee data lacking.

Sources: MoA 2013, CSA 2015

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1. Introduction:

Top ten producing countries 2010-2014

Country Species Total production

(000 bags)

% share of

world total

Brazil A/R 47380 33.55

Vietnam A/R 25300 17.89

Colombia A 10145 7.16

Indonesia R/A 10096 7.11

Ethiopia A 6737 4.79

Honduras A 5148 3.65

India R/A 5044 3.57

Peru A 4223 3.00

Mexico A 4141 2.94

Uganda R/A 3516 2.49

Source: ICO 2015

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1. Introduction: Compare Ethiopia & Brazil

Variable Ethiopia Brazil Difference in

folds

Total production (000 bags) 6,798 43,484 7

Domestic consumption (000 bags) 3,383 19,720 6

Per capita consumption (kg) 2.40 6.02 3

Export of green coffee (60-bags) 2,675, 381 30,141,034 11

Export of processed coffee (60-kg bags GBE) 38 3,366,479 88592

Gross stock at start of crop year (000 bags) 417 11,345 27

Value of export of all forms of coffee (mln US #) 822.76 8,715 11

Value of export of all merchandize (mln US #) 2,615 256,040 98

Value of coffee as % of all merchandize (mln US #) 31.5% 3.4%

Value of coffee as a percent of GDP 2.59% 0.35%

Focus on coffee technology, value-addition & promotion!

Source: ICO 2012

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Estimated data for Ethiopian coffee (CSA 2015)

Variable 2013/14 2014/15 Change

Total area (ha) 538,467 561,762 4.33

Production (tons) 392,006 419,980 7.14

Yield (kg/ha) 728 748 2.69

Below target: why?

Limited use of appropriate technologies

Weak linkage among stakeholders

No external projects to support field management

Price risks to farmers, producers & exporters.

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1. Introduction: Coffee Productivity (green bean, kg/ha) in Ethiopia- LOW

Conservation & managing forest coffee trees_ diversity, quality & premium prices Sustainable intensification_ High productivity at potential/cluster areas Encourage private sectors & scaling-up of farm management Financial access to coffee research, extension & farmers This would ensure genetic diversity, productivity, quality and economic return .

250 450

750 900

1550

2150

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Forest Semi-forest Garden Planation Research (on-farm)

Research (on-station)

National = 756 kg/ha

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0

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10

15

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25

30

35

40

Reduced coffee's share (%) from the

total export value due to export

diversification

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

1990

1991

1992

1993

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2011

2012

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Total production Total export

Domestc consumption

Production, export & local consumption

(thousand 60 kg bags)

1. Introduction: coffee trends in Ethiopia (ICO 2014)

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1. Introduction: Known coffee quality in Ethiopia

• Limmu = Winy

• Wellega = Fruity

• Harar = Mocha

• Sidama = Spicy

• Yirgacheffe = Floral

• Other areas = cup profiles ?

Why? Coffee genetics, Environment, processing?

Agro-ecology based management and use – Local landrace R4D strategy

Trade marked & licensed for the benefits

But, not attractive and benefit farmers & local community as expected

Facing cash & food risks – shifting to other crops like Khat.

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2. `Challenges & Opportunities

2.1 Opportunities

Genetic diversity & favorable environments

Farmers’ long standing coffee culture for their livelihood - coffee is life!

Shade-grown coffee landscape for sustainability components

Unique coffee production & ceremony .

Known coffee brands & cup profile to consumers

Participation of private sector & coffee unions/ cooperatives

Annual Coffee Day Celebration – Oromia Regional State & Federal MoA.

GoE priority to establish coffee sector institutional set-up, among others.

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2.2 Challenges

• Population pressure

• Deforestation land degradation

• Smallholding & traditional oriented system

• Little/no use of full package coffee technologies

• Limited funding access to producers and traders

• Risks of climate change and variability - timing

• Increasing disorders & pests – diseases, insects

• Crop replacement, more productive/profitable

• Reduced export coffee price- risks to producers & exporters

• Frequent structural change & weak linkages at all levels

Threats to coffee genetic resources & urgent collaborative actions .

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3. Coffee germplasm conservation In-situ

Coffee Natural Forests of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

The Yayu Coffee Forest

The Kafa Coffee Forest

The Sheka Forest.

Three zones identified for development (transition, buffer & core).

Wildlife, diseases & insects, climate change, low return

Support for high productivity, diversification & promotion

Empowering farmers and local people to benefit more.

Ex-situ

Coffee germplasm collected and ex-situ conserved

Jimma Research Center & sub-centers

Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute

More potential areas remain unaddressed – due to limited capacity to collect & manage in field gene bank .

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4. Coffee Research In Ethiopia

Started before JARC-1966 • MoA & IAR signed 1958 • NCB established in 1952 • FAO, World Bank, EU Ten Coffee Research Centres Main Cener- Jimma Sub-centers Trial stations Adaptive sites EU-CIP financial supports. Representing diverse eco-zones Local adaption and cup profile Major Contributions: Safeguard coffee genetic resources from loss due to CBD Increased coffee production & productivity Conserving coffee genetic resources for research purpose Improved income & quality of life Increased coffee export & foreign currency.

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4.1 Coffee Research Capacity at JARC

# of coffee researchers Laboratory facilities

Plant pathology

Coffee processing & quality

Soils & plant analysis

Breeding & seed technology

Coffee physiology

Plant biotechnology

6

17 19

46

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1979 1989 1999 2015

Research Budget:

Source = Fully Government , Total Amount (ETB) = 7.3 million/year

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4.1 National Coffee Research Projects

Five coffee projects = specific target areas

Demand-driven and Export-oriented Coffee Technology Generation and

Promotion in ….. Ethiopia

Two Components:

Comp I: Technology generation + adaptation

Varieties, agronomic practices, post-harvest handling

Comp II: Technology promotion + evaluation

Seeds/seedlings, training services, FRG, capacitating experts, publications, demonstration sites, field days, etc

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4.1 COFFEE RESEARCH – key achievements

• 6,717 germplasm collected & maintained at research gene banks

• 37 coffee varieties (34 pure lines & 3 hybrids) released

• In 2010, 11 varieties for specialty areas (3 Sidama/Yirgachefe, 4 Wellega, 4 Harar)

• More promising genotypes identified for known areas

• Improved agronomic practices (nursery, forest, garden & plantation)

• Harvesting and processing methods developed

• Technology multiplication & quality seed

• Coffee tissue culture- protocol

• Coffee economics & extension research

• Coffee diversification technology options.

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4.1 COFFEE RESEARCH: Coffee varieties

Suitable area # of

variety

Clean coffee (kg/ha)

Research On-farm

Highland 7 1930 1340

Mid-highland 13 1753 853

Midland 9 1934 1349

Low-highland 2 1725 850

Low-midland 1 1820 1400

Lowland 5 1878 1098

Mean 1840 1148

Lowland = 1000 - 1550, Midland = 1550 - 1750, Highland = 1750 - 2100 m

Coffee technologies are agro-ecology/location specific

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600

1500

1200

2400 1700

2400 2400 2600

1150

1950 1800

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Selection Hybrid Selection Hybrid

On-farm Research

Min Max Mean

Hybrid variety = 39-70 % yield increase on research & on-farm, respectively.

4.1 COFFEE RESEARCH: yield performance (kg/ha)

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4.1 Coffee Research... achievements

Forest coffee management

Seed handling & nursery operations

Modern coffee cultivation

Ideal coffee shade trees (temporary & permanent)

Canopy classes & stem natures of coffee germplasms

Spacing & population density

Integrated soil fertility management

Tree management (pruning & training pratices)

Coffee processing & quality reseach findings

supply of basic coffee seeds =

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5. Technology transfer Demand-supply share of coffee seeds at JARC

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100% 1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

To

tal

De

ma

nd

-su

pp

ly s

ha

re

Demand Supply

So far, JARC supplied = 243,600 kg & ten million seedlings.

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5.1 Technology transfer: established seed orchards

A total of 1235 producers (1227 farmers + 5 private + 3 others)

Producing basic coffee seeds, but need support and formal system

Goverment support to authorize them as basic seed producers .

Coffee area Research

center

Adaptive

site

Total

Limmu /Gera 3 7 10

Wellega 2 4 6

Harar 1 1 2

Sidama/Yirgachefe 2 2 4

Total 8 14 22

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6. Coffee Research Strategic Plan (2015-2030)

National strategic issues/directions-draft:

• Germplasm enhancement & variety development

• Molecular characterizations & tissue culture

• Crop protection (diseases, insects, weeds)

• Postharvest & quality management

• Agronomy/crop management

• Conservation agriculture, irrigation & plant nutrition

• Irrigation & conservation agriculture

• Seed technology

• Technology demonstration & dissemination

• Socio-economics, extension & gender research

• Capacity enhancement .

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Sustainable management & use of the unique coffee resources:

A key to food security & poverty alleviation in Ethiopia.

Capacity building to public & private institutions- research & development

ensuring source-sink balance (producer, trader, processor, consumers)

Generating & scaling-up of coffee technologies for sustainable intensification

Recognizing & promoting our unique coffee landscapes & cup profile by area: certification, sustainable tourism, geographical indicators, PES, etc.

Coffee training institutions & strong networking b/n local & global partners

Hence, transforming coffee sector for the benefits of ALL.

7. Concluding remarks

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Acknowledgements

IFPRI & Ethiopia Strategy Support Program for the invitation to share our experiences .

xmsGÂlh# Thank You!