Guji Highland Estate, Dambi Udo

Guji Highland Coffee Plantation is a significant coffee enterprise established in 2012 by Wadessa Yachisa, a native of the Shakisso region. The plantation's origins are deeply rooted in the local landscape, specifically the Dambi Uddo area, which takes its name from a tree species abundant in the surrounding wild forests. After a period of military service and subsequent work in the local gold mining industry, Yachisa returned to his home region to invest in coffee production, eventually formalizing the Guji Highland Coffee Plantation PLC to manage his operations.

The estate operates on approximately 150 to 250 hectares of land, maintaining an agro-forestry system that integrates coffee cultivation with honey and wood production. This approach preserves the natural forest environment while ensuring the health of the coffee trees. Beyond its own production, the plantation functions as a centralized processing hub, collecting and processing cherries from smallholder farmers in the surrounding area, which adds several hundred hectares of production capacity to its output.

Processing is a core competency of the Guji Highland team, particularly regarding natural (sun-dried) coffees. The facility utilizes raised drying beds positioned three feet above the ground to ensure proper airflow. Cherries are meticulously hand-turned and sorted throughout the drying process to maintain consistency and quality. This rigorous attention to detail is reflected in the cup profiles, which are frequently characterized by notes of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and citrus, often achieving high specialty cupping scores.

Environmental stewardship is a central tenet of the farm's operations. The Dambi Uddo site is noted for its stringent ethical standards, which include the prohibition of chemical products and a reliance on manual labor for farm management. By maintaining these practices, the estate aligns with broader efforts in the Guji Zone to produce high-quality Arabica while protecting the biodiversity of the region, which is recognized as a birthplace of the species.

The plantation's influence extends to the global specialty market, where its lots are highly valued by roasters and importers. The estate's ability to manage both its own harvest and the output of local smallholders allows it to provide consistent, traceable lots that highlight the unique terroir of the Guji Zone. This model of centralized processing has become a vital link between remote smallholder farmers and the international specialty coffee market.

It is important to distinguish the Guji Highland Coffee Plantation from other entities in the region, such as the Danbi Udo wet mill owned by Demand Trading PLC, which also processes coffee in the Guji Zone. While names may overlap due to geographic proximity and shared regional terminology, Guji Highland Coffee Plantation remains a distinct, family-managed entity known for its specific focus on natural processing and agro-forestry. Today, the estate stands as a representative of the high-quality potential of the Guji region, contributing to the growing international recognition of Ethiopian specialty coffee.