Tokuma Farmers Group
- First time cooperation: 2024
- Cooperation model: Indirect Trade
About
The Tokuma Farmers Group represents small-scale coffee producers from East Africa, specifically in the Agaro region of Jimma. Located at altitudes of 1,950-2,200 meters above sea level, this area provides ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality coffee.
The fertile soil, temperate climate, and distinctive terroir of the Jimma region create an excellent ecosystem for coffee plants to thrive. The pristine forests surrounding the coffee farms provide natural shade and preserve biodiversity, creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation environment.
» Information about Tokuma Farmers Group
Core Values
The Tokuma Farmers Group represents a revolution in the East African coffee industry, where small producers are gradually transitioning from selling through intermediaries to a more direct and transparent model. Their core values include:
– Traceability: Each lot of coffee from the Tokuma Coffee Farmers Community can be traced back to the specific farm where it was cultivated. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering that until recently, most coffee was sold through the Commodities Exchange (ECX), making traceability difficult.
– Farmer Ownership: Farmers in the Tokuma Farmers Group maintain complete ownership of their coffee from cultivation to export.
– Superior Quality: The Tokuma Farmers Group is committed to producing high-quality coffee with unique flavors characteristic of the Jimma region. They meticulously oversee every step from growing to harvesting to processing to ensure each coffee bean meets export standards.
– Community Development: Profits from the direct trade model have helped farmers not only expand their farms and plant more coffee trees but also diversify their businesses, create jobs for local community members, and improve family livelihoods.
Growing Regions
The Tokuma Farmers Group operates primarily in the Jimma region, one of the most renowned coffee-producing areas. Within this community, we specifically partner with two outstanding producers:
BIYA FARIS – BASHASHA, JIMMA
Biya Faris is a prominent member of the Tokuma Farmers Group, owning a 10.5-hectare farm in Bashasha Kebele in the Jimma region. Biya’s coffee is cultivated at an impressive altitude of 2,000-2,200 meters above sea level and dried on raised beds for 18-21 days.
Biya’s coffee flavor profile represents the exceptional quality of clean naturals from this area of Jimma. With each harvest season, Biya’s coffee reaffirms its position as one of our top choices.
NESRU ABA NURA – KOTA, JIMMA
From the incredible woman, Nesru Aba Nura, her farm, located in Kota Kebele of Jimma, spans nine hectares and produces coffee at an altitude of 1,950-2,000 meters above sea level.
Nesru’s coffee is dried on raised beds for an average of 21 days, resulting in wonderful sweetness, great clarity of flavor, and tropical fruit characteristics. Nesru and her husband, Mensur Aba Hika, are important members of the Tokuma community.
Transformation of the East African Coffee Industry
In recent years, changes in laws have allowed more coffee producers to obtain individual export licenses. This shift has helped farmers bypass the traditional system, which often aggregated coffees from various sources, making traceability difficult.
Now, more producers can market and export their coffee directly, giving them better control over pricing and quality. This change has been pivotal for producers like the Tokuma Farmers Group as it allows them to highlight the unique characteristics of their coffee and ensure fair compensation for their hard work.
Why We Choose the Tokuma Farmers Group
Our partnership with the Tokuma Farmers Group demonstrates our commitment to supporting small-scale coffee producers and promoting direct trade. We are particularly impressed with their transparent business model, where farmers maintain complete ownership of their product.
When you purchase coffee from the Tokuma Farmers Group through us, you’re not just getting an exceptional cup of coffee – you’re empowering marginalized farmers in one of the most crucial parts of the coffee supply chain. You’re directly contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for these farmers.
The farmers of the Tokuma Farmers Group feel deep pride in maintaining control over their operations and gaining recognition for their work. Thanks to traders, importers, roasters, cafés, and consumers who continue to support not only the Tokuma Farmers Group but also other smallholder farmers worldwide, we’re witnessing a shift in the industry toward more equitable and transparent trade practices.
