Shiferaw Dukale’s story begins in Wegida, a highland village in Ethiopia’s celebrated Yirgacheffe region, where his family has grown coffee for generations. Like many young farmers, he started with less than a hectare of land passed down from his family. Over the years, he expanded his farm to 5.3 hectares. 

Shiferaw farms organically in a diverse ecosystem of shade trees and food crops. Among them is enset, often called false banana. Though its fruit is inedible, its roots are a vital staple food of Ethiopia. Shiferaw studies enset’s many varieties and experiments with how it interacts with coffee on his farm. It’s this blend of biodiversity and his curiosity that makes Shiferaw’s coffee consistently stand out amongst its peers.

In 2018, Shiferaw joined the newly formed Jabanto farmers’ group, created in response to policy changes that allowed smallholder farmers to sell their coffee directly to buyers. With the support of GBroad Trading, which handles everything from milling to logistics, the group has flourished, representing more than 70 farmers in Yirgacheffe. Today, Jabanto members receive some of the highest prices for coffee in their area. Their work represents not only exceptional quality but also one of the most transparent and traceable supply chains we’ve had the privilege of being part of in Ethiopia.