REGION: Agaro Woreda, Goma

FARM / CO-OP: Duromina Cooperative

ELEVATION: 1,900 - 2,100 Meters

TASTING NOTES: Asia Pear, Sweet-Tea, Complex

"This coffee from Duromina Cooperative is part of an initiative we have in Ethiopia to work direct at the coop level. We have been involved with Duromina for the past 5 years, selecting our favorite lots to offer on our site. Duromina was formed with the help of a non-government organization that not only coordinated agronomists and managers for each of the coops they work with, but also had a business adviser assigned that helped the cooperative manage their debt, re-invest in quality improvements at the mill, and verifies distribution of income to all members. This is a key position; I have never known a coop to get this kind of expert advice from outside ... not in Africa at least. A cooperative can make all kinds of quality improvements, turn out fantastic coffee, and sink deeper in debt all the while. Cooperatives often fail to return a fair and full amount of payment to their farmer-members. Often this is from poor management, and sometimes from graft as well. Duromina has now "graduated" from the NGO program and operates independently with the oversight of various farmer-member leadership groups. Duromina is in the Goma region of Agaro Woreda, with farm altitudes between 1900 to 2100 meters. The name, chosen by the farmers, has quite a straight-forward meaning: it roughly translates as "Make More Money!" With the solid price we pay the cooperative for their best lots, and their success reinvesting in the Goma area, the name has proved quite appropriate. NPR did an interesting audio piece on this coop: Duromina "Cinderella Story"" - Coffeeshrub