Ethiopia is known as the birthplace of coffee and it enjoys a great reputation despite only producing around 4% of the world’s coffee. It is thanks to outstanding variety of outstanding coffee profiles. Yirgacheffe, Sidama and Guji are the most commonly known growing regions, however there are many other areas that have only recently been receiving more attention thanks to the excellent bean quality. This is the case of Limu region, where we found a breathtaking farm called Burka Gudina.

At an altitude ranging from 1800 to 2000 meters above sea level, this farm expands on forested hills that roll up and down in gentle slopes. Owned by Ibrahim Hussein, the farm used to belong to his father, when coffee was the main crop in the region. Due to a new political regime, his father lost the farm in the 1970s. However, Ibrahim never lost hope to go back to coffee farming. His dreams of crossing the rivers by mule again one day and setting campfires like he used to with his father, finally came true in the early 90s.  Despite not being able to get his father’s land back, he did not despair. Ibrahim purchased 205 hectares of land close to where he fell in love with growing coffee beans in his childhood.

Knowing the area very well, Ibrahim carefully chose the location for his farm where he could grow local heirloom coffee varieties in the shade of a big forest. Beautiful acacia trees as well as endemic trees such as wanza, frevillea and berbera cover the area of the farm and protect the Ibrahim’s coffee varieties that are resistant to disease and thrive in high altitudes. 

Since opening the farm, Ibrahim has employed more than 70 people. He attracts the best workers with higher salaries and continuous education, organizing trainings, professional visits and workshops for his team. This is why his employees work happily and make the best coffee beans. 

Their aim is to increase the yield while keeping the quality and leaving the nature intact. Realize they are holding in their hands the collective wealth of the world, their duty is to pass it on to the next generation the way they found it, so that their coffee can be enjoyed for centuries to come.