Dambi Uddo Gatama

The Dambi Uddo forest is located a few tens of kilometres from the town of Shakisso, in the woreda (district) of Odo Shakisso, known for producing coffees with spicy notes. The forest is in the heart of the Guji appellation, but may also be linked to the type A Sidamo appellation. It is characterised by a rich biodiversity comprising about fifteen tree species, some of which are becoming rare in Ethiopia.

The Guji Highland Coffee Plantation, which has fallen in love with the environment, began producing coffee there about ten years ago. In order to maintain the ecological diversity, the new plants were introduced beneath the dense tree canopy. Some come directly from the wild coffee trees in the Sadhe forest.

A total of 150 hectares have been cultivated. The forest offers particularly fertile clay soils, a fertility that is further increased by Dambi Uddo’s agroforestry model. The vegetation ensures the presence of a constantly decomposing litter, which produces organic matter that nourishes the soil. The tree roots help contain the effects of erosion and prevent the soil from becoming dry by retaining water deep down. Thetrees also help to preserve the biodiversity. Coffee production plays a major role in this system and ensures its long-term future. For farmers, there are economic benefits, since they are able to diversify their sources of income. In addition to coffee, they can sell honey, ginger and even firewood collected from fallen trees.

The Dambi Uddo farm is divided into 4 plots. Its natural coffee comes from the plot in Gatama, located at an altitude of about 2,100 metres. It is named after a tree found in the Dambi Uddo forest that bears flowers famous for producing a delicious white honey. The Gatama plot extends over 9 hectares.