ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Development Authority (ECTDA) said that it has been working to export 240,000 metric tons of coffee in 2019/20.
Awgechew Teshome, Coffee, Tea, and Spices Development Deputy General Director approached by The Ethiopian Herald said that the country has the capacity to yield more than 240,000 metric tons per year but what matter is harvesting a competent product which meets the demand of the international community.
The authority is working with farmers, coffee exporters, public enterprises and NGOs to address draw backs associated with producing standard coffee. Thus, meeting set target is not difficult if the government and actors of the sector work in solidarity.
He also added that the authority has given training for relevant authorities and actors at each level based on their roles. This will have notable contribution to achieve the export target.
The Authority has been launching a comprehensive campaign nationwide with the aim of raising the awareness of stakeholders, farmers about their roles in producing coffee which is competent at global market.
Limited use of modern machinery, shortages and absence of logistics, budget limitation, lack of input, mix in less quality coffee or other products with high-quality coffee and absence of standardized warehouse have been the most prevalent challenges to meet the export target.
However, it is possible to overcome all the difficulties if all coffee actors stand together and work with the sense of accountability. Thus, achievement of the country’s coffee export target shall no longer be tentative gesture, he underlined.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 13/2019
BY MULATU BELACHEW
