ETHIOPIA NENSEBO REFISA

Ethiopia NENSEBO REFISA

Region: West Arsi

Washing station: Refisa, 550 farmers

Altitude: 1950masl

Coffee varieties: Heirloom varieties

Process: Washed

Drying: Raised bed

Cupping notes: Jasmine, Peached Iced Tea

Cupping score: 86

Refisa is a washing station located in West Arsi with 550 active farmer members that deliver cherries. This washing station is owned by SNAP COFFEE exporters.  SNAP COFFEE was established in Addis Ababa in 2008, by coffee-passionate entrepreneur, Negusse D. Weldyes. The company runs three coffee washing and processing stations in Chelelektu, Kochere District of the Gedeo Zone and partnering washing stations in Uraga (Guji) and Nensebo (West Arsi). On average, about 550 farmers supply each washing station.

The company’s supply policy rests on three main pillars:

• Process specialty coffee consistently 
• Transfer the required know-how to the outgrowing farmers along with a great desire and training in processing and cleaning methods
• Protect the environment through waste recycling systems. 

The average lot size of farmers is 1-2 hectares, the soil is rich and fertile and generally they have between 1800-2400 trees per hectare. Each tree produces on average 3 kgs of cherries.

SNAP COFFEE supports the community of smallholders living near the washing station through partnerships with washing station owners. The washing stations build schools and SNAP COFFEE provides computers and other facilities. SNAP COFFEE is also constructing roads to less accessible farming areas and are also planning to build health clinics in the future to improve access to healthcare for farmers in the washing station areas.