The Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union has generated €1,794,934 in revenue from carbon credit sales, a significant achievement that supports both environmental and economic sustainability. Union General Manager Dejene Dadi shared the news with the Ethiopia Press Agency (EPA), explaining that the income was earned by encouraging member farmers to adopt renewable energy sources and fuel-efficient stoves, which have helped reduce carbon emissions.
Between 2022 and 2023, the Union sold 97,222 tons of carbon credits in the Wollega area through the international “Gold Standard” trading system. This initiative has proved highly beneficial for local farmers. According to Dejene, 70% of the revenue is distributed as dividends to the 7,250 farming households involved. Farmers also receive free fuel-efficient stoves, which help reduce the risks of smoke inhalation while promoting healthier cooking practices.
The program has created job opportunities for unemployed youth, who have been trained to produce the high-quality stoves provided to farmers.
The Union plans to expand its efforts, with a goal to double its foreign exchange earnings from carbon credit sales. Despite global deforestation contributing to 40 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, the initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
This innovative approach is a powerful example of combining environmental conservation with economic empowerment for Ethiopia’s coffee farmers.
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