Tero Farm

Tero Farm is situated in the Shakisso district of Ethiopia’s Guji Zone, a region increasingly recognized for its high-quality specialty coffee production. The farm is the flagship operation of Dimtu Coffee Industry PLC, founded by Getachew Zeleke. Before entering the coffee industry, Zeleke worked as an accountant, a background that has informed the rigorous, data-driven approach he now applies to coffee production, processing, and export logistics.

Zeleke’s entry into coffee began in 2008 when he purchased land in Shakisso following a successful real estate investment. By 2009, he had begun planting coffee trees. Over the subsequent years, he transformed his initial investment into a vertically integrated operation that oversees the entire supply chain, from the cultivation of coffee cherries to the final stages of washing, milling, and export. This integration allows for a high degree of quality control and full traceability, which are hallmarks of the Tero Farm brand.

The farm is known for cultivating specific Ethiopian varieties, including 74110 and 74112, alongside other local landraces. These varieties are grown at high elevations, typically ranging between 2,000 and 2,200 meters above sea level. The combination of high-altitude terroir and careful processing—whether washed or natural—results in the distinct flavor profiles, often characterized by notes of stone fruit, citrus, and tea-like clarity, for which Guji coffees are celebrated.

Beyond his own estate, Zeleke has established a robust outgrower program that partners with approximately 700 neighboring smallholder farmers. This program distinguishes Tero Farm from many other private washing stations in Ethiopia, which often operate solely as cherry-buying points. Instead, Tero Farm requires participating farmers to engage in a comprehensive registration process and provides them with ongoing support, including agronomy training, access to seedlings, and pre-harvest financing.

This collaborative model is designed to incentivize quality at the farm level. By providing farmers with the tools and knowledge to improve their agricultural practices, Tero Farm ensures a consistent supply of high-quality cherries while simultaneously supporting the economic stability of the local farming community. The station maintains meticulous records of these outgrower plots, which facilitates the transparency required by specialty roasters and importers.

Today, Tero Farm stands as a model of modern, sustainable coffee production in Ethiopia. Its success demonstrates the potential for private enterprises to act as catalysts for regional development by bridging the gap between smallholder production and the global specialty market. Through its commitment to education, infrastructure, and quality, the farm continues to be a respected name in the industry, consistently delivering coffees that reflect the unique character of the Guji region.