WEST GUJI ZONE, OROMIA — Farmers in the West Guji Zone of the Oromia region are significantly expanding their cultivation of high-yielding coffee varieties, aiming to boost production and enhance their economic prospects. Zone Administrator Adula Hirbaye announced this development following a delegation visit to local coffee and maize farms, highlighting the strategic shift towards these more productive coffee plants.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, coffee is a principal cash crop in the zone, traditionally cultivated in six of its nine woredas. The transition to improved coffee varieties has been facilitated by extensive training programs for farmers. These new plants are capable of maturing within one year and eight months and can yield up to 12 quintals per hectare, marking a notable increase from the yields of older varieties. This advancement is expected to contribute significantly to the region’s economy, as West Guji Zone accounts for about 28 percent of the national coffee supply.

The Oromia Agriculture Bureau reports that preparations are underway to bolster this growth, with approximately 2.6 billion coffee nurseries being readied this year alone. Additionally, 350,000 hectares of land have been allocated for coffee plantations within the region. With these efforts, Oromia aims to produce 12 million quintals of coffee, reinforcing its status as a major player in the national agriculture sector. These initiatives are part of a broader regional strategy to elevate local farmers to investor levels, thereby transforming the agricultural landscape and improving livelihoods across the district.