Forests and Ethiopia's Coffee

Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, is taking bold steps to protect its forests and sustain its coffee industry with a $20 million initiative aimed at restoring degraded lands. 

As deforestation threatens both biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions who depend on coffee farming, this ambitious project—part of the global FOLUR Impact Programme—seeks to integrate sustainable land management with agricultural practices. FOLUR, financed through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) focuses on preventing forest loss, promoting restoration, and integrating sustainability into coffee value chains and the food system.

Spanning multiple regions, including Oromia, Sidama, and Central Ethiopia, the effort underscores the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation in one of the world’s most renowned coffee-producing nations.

This initiative is implemented by the Ministry of Planning & development (MoPD) of the Government of Ethiopia in partnership with the Ethiopian Forest Development and the Ethiopian Coffee & Tea Authority. It helps farmers in adopting sustainable practices that meet the EU market standards, which account for 30% of the Country’s Coffee export.

FOLUR efforts are in line with the recent European Union announcement of a deforestation regulation aimed at reducing deforestation linked to key commodities, including coffee. This regulation requires companies and countries to prove their products are not sourced from deforested land. 

The EU accounts for 30% of Ethiopia’s coffee export. Though this regulation promotes environmental sustainability, it may create challenges for small-scale farmers who may struggle to meet strict requirements due to limited resources, insufficient systems and a lack of knowledge. 

The FOLUR project set up a technical team to assess the existing land use planning systems in Ethiopia, which were identified as a key gap in the sector. In response, knowledge products were developed to address various aspects of Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP), including conceptual frameworks, best practices, and experiences related to Land Use/Land Cover (LULC). These resources are helping to enhance understanding and guide the implementation of effective land use strategies, ultimately supporting sustainable agricultural practices and forest conservation in Ethiopia.

Revitalizing coffee gardens and supporting farmers

A significant milestone for the project was the rejuvenation of an old coffee garden. 6,611.4 hectares, which represents 62.9% of the total area planned to be rejuvenated, has been identified as an old coffee garden. Out of this, 743.83 hectares have been rejuvenated through various methods such as pruning, stumping, and uprooting for replacement planting.

191.4 hectares were uprooted for replacement planting at both individual and cluster levels, and 334,329 seedling pits have been prepared for such purpose. 4,246 individuals, 50% of them being women, have benefited from this activity. 

Environmental conservation and forest management

33,983.6 hectares of communal land and forests for restoration, including 3,500 hectares of Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserves were identified through environmental conservation and participatory forest management.  

Using Kobo Toolbox and ODK Collect, open-source mobile data collection platforms, restoration sites have been mapped with baseline images and polygons to monitor the total area undergoing restoration. 

The identified land includes 16,744.29 hectares of degraded communal lands and forests, 17,239.3 hectares of natural forest to be integrated into new PFM structures, and the Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserves.

Additionally, 28 nursery sites covering 21.98 hectares have been established, with 9 new sites (7 in Southwest Ethiopia, 1 in Oromia, and 1 in Sidama) and 19 existing sites that have been strengthened through consultations and MoUs. These nursery sites are collectively producing nearly seven million indigenous seedlings to support the restoration efforts.

Driving economic growth through income diversification and technology 

Empowering women through cooperative associations and Income-Generating Activities (IGA) is a game-changer for sustainable business growth and financial independence. By engaging in ventures like vegetable production, poultry farming, and sheep fattening, women gain the opportunity to diversify their income streams and build economic resilience. Tailoring these initiatives to the specific interests and needs of the participants ensures that they are both practical and impactful, driving productivity while fostering long-term stability.

Beyond economic empowerment, the project is also revolutionizing women’s livelihoods through innovative technologies designed to reduce deforestation and improve household energy consumption. With 132 women trained as community facilitators, more than 22,673 households have been educated on energy-efficient technologies. 

As part of this initiative, over 26,000 improved stoves have been distributed, easing the burden on natural forests while enhancing women’s daily lives—improving their health, reducing fuel costs, and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment.

These efforts go beyond short-term solutions and pave the way for a future where women are not just participants in economic activities but leaders in sustainable development.

Capacity Building and Training Initiatives

A major push to enhance expertise in integrated land use planning is equipping local experts and communities with essential skills to drive sustainable land management. Specialized training in GIS, remote sensing, land administration, and watershed management has empowered federal and zone-level experts, kebele land administration committees, and participatory forest management structures. So far, 1,120 individuals—30% of them women—have gained critical knowledge to implement effective land-use strategies.

In a parallel effort, 18 experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and regional bureaus developed training manuals on climate-smart agriculture. These resources were used to train 390 development agents, experts, and subject matter specialists across two training centers. Their expertise then cascaded down to 2,200 model farmers (30% women) in 110 project kebeles, ensuring that innovative agricultural practices reach the grassroots level.

Beyond formal training, hands-on community engagement is playing a key role in knowledge-sharing. Eight community learning exchange visits across project zones have connected 345 members involved in participatory forest management, allowing them to share best practices and strengthen local conservation efforts.

The impact is far-reaching—these initiatives have directly benefited 49,762 individuals, 86.4% of whom are women, fostering sustainable land use and agricultural resilience across the country. By equipping communities with knowledge and tools, the project is laying the foundation for long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

Effective knowledge management and media engagement have been central to strengthening project outcomes, fostering collaboration, and amplifying impact. 

A strategic partnership with nine universities culminated in a high-level workshop, bringing together vice presidents, research focal persons, and development partners. The result? A unified roadmap for knowledge development, clear partnership modalities, and well-defined stakeholder responsibilities. The workshop also identified 32 critical research topics across three thematic areas: Integrated Landscape Management, Forest Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration, and Sustainable Coffee Value Chains—laying the foundation for evidence-based decision-making.

Recognizing the power of media in shaping public discourse, the project also trained 45 journalists from major national and regional outlets. These reporters gained valuable expertise in climate reporting, sustainable land use, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring that key environmental issues receive the coverage they deserve.

Beyond research and media engagement, the project’s reach has been remarkable—directly benefiting 49,762 individuals, with an impressive 86.4% being women. Most beneficiaries (48,059 individuals, 87.4% female) were engaged at the community level, while 3,184 (10.7% female) participated at the institutional level. This strong female representation highlights the project’s commitment to women’s empowerment, particularly in the coffee sector, where sustainable practices are critical for long-term economic and environmental success.

These are promising progress areas that underscore the importance of continued investment in knowledge-sharing and farmer support—especially for women—ensuring that sustainable growth remains at the heart of the coffee industry’s future.