1) How long have they been doing specialty coffee there?Our ShantaGolba washing station (Betibiroti) is a new site, it has been only two years since we owned it and started working at this specific location.
2) What is so special about that region?This region is very well known for its quality coffees, the last three Cup of Excellence coffees won from this region. The area has the best micro climate and altitude which is conducive for quality coffee. These days any coffee from the Bensa area is highly sought by Ethiopian coffee buyers.
3) Anything that they are doing that is different from the norm?At the farm, we do various activities differently in order to get quality coffee. Just to mention a few:-
- We created a good relationship with farmers and built a strong trust which is very essential to get the best cherries. Our company, Ardent, constructed a 2.8km rural road for the community, and built one elementary school in the area for ShantaGolba community which is providing service at this time.
- We give farmers training on agronomy, and on cherry harvesting
- The ShantaGolba washing station is Organic certified, complying international third party auditing and standards
- Post harvesting is properly handled at this washing station with trained staff
