Chelbesa smallholders; METAD

The Chelbesa region, located within the Gedeb woreda of Ethiopia’s Gedeo zone, is widely recognized for its exceptional agro-ecology. Characterized by high elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,200 meters and dense, shade-grown vegetation, the area provides an ideal environment for cultivating high-quality Arabica coffee. The coffee produced here is typically grown by multi-generational smallholder farmers who manage small plots of land, often intercropped with local vegetation like false banana trees, which contribute to the region's fertile, iron-rich soil.

METAD Agricultural Development PLC (METAD) is a third-generation, family-owned business that plays a pivotal role in the Chelbesa coffee supply chain. Founded and led by Aman Adinew, the company was established to elevate the profile of Ethiopian coffee by integrating meticulous post-harvest processing and quality control standards. The name METAD is derived from the initials of Adinew’s parents, Metasebia and Adinew, reflecting the company's deep-rooted commitment to family legacy and community development.

Central to the relationship between METAD and the Chelbesa smallholders is an extensive out-grower program, which began in 2013. This initiative supports over 6,500 members across the Hambela and Gedeb regions, providing farmers with technical assistance, access to modern farming equipment, and support for organic certification. By organizing farmers into associations based on their local kebeles (villages), METAD ensures that smallholders receive premium payments for their red cherries, along with secondary payments once the final product is sold.

In practice, the processing of Chelbesa coffee involves a rigorous approach to quality. Smallholders deliver their hand-picked cherries to washing stations, such as METAD’s facility in Gedeb. Depending on the desired profile, the coffee is processed using either washed or natural methods. Washed lots often utilize eco-pulpers and are dried on raised beds, while natural lots are dried in the cherry to develop intense, fruit-forward characteristics. This level of control allows for the production of distinct, high-scoring specialty lots that are highly sought after in the international market.

Beyond economic incentives, METAD has distinguished itself through social responsibility. The company was the first in Ethiopia to partner with Grounds for Health, implementing cervical cancer screening programs for women in their coffee-growing communities. This holistic approach to the supply chain—focusing on both the quality of the cup and the well-being of the producers—has helped shift the narrative of Ethiopian coffee toward a model of direct, transparent, and sustainable trade.

For the roaster and the drinker, the 'Chelbesa smallholders' tag represents a commitment to traceability and quality. Because METAD manages the entire value chain from seed to cup, they can maintain strict oversight of the processing, resulting in clean, complex, and vibrant cup profiles often characterized by notes of jasmine, stone fruit, and sweet tea. This partnership model ensures that the unique terroir of the Gedeo zone is preserved and showcased, while simultaneously providing a stable and equitable livelihood for the farmers who make it possible.