Buku

The story

Buku Abel is a washing station in the West Guji zone of Ethiopia that was established in 2019. The region has been historically inhabited by the Oromo people, who transitioned from pastoralism to coffee farming over centuries. The Buku brand was also created by the Tadesse Desta Business Group as a legacy project to preserve Ethiopia's coffee heritage.

Challenges

The rugged terrain of the village makes the transportation of harvested coffee cherries difficult for local farmers.

Innovations

The washing station utilizes raised beds for drying, with cherries frequently turned and covered during peak heat or cold hours to ensure consistent, slow drying. Due to the fertile, forest-rich environment, organic practices are the default with minimal need for external inputs.