Coffee landscapes of Ethiopia
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
There is a pressing need for integrated, context-specific evidence that incorporates localised climate projections, drought-resistant coffee varieties under climatic stress, and gender-differentiated vulnerabilities and adaptive strategies. Keffa Zone, widely recognised as the centre of origin for Arabica coffee, remains critically important to Ethiopia’s coffee sector and the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers who rely on it. However, the region is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes pose significant threats to coffee yields, quality, and the long-term sustainability of production systems. Despite growing recognition of these risks, a lack of localised climate modelling tailored to Keffa Zone’s diverse coffee-producing landscapes hampers efforts to anticipate future climate scenarios and implement effective adaptation strategies.
Dr Belay’s research will fill a critical knowledge and policy gap by pursuing a trans-disciplinary research approach. Specifically, this study will project future climate scenarios in Ethiopia’s major coffee-producing regions, characterise genetic traits associated with drought tolerance in Coffee Arabica, and assess how climate-induced changes affect male and female coffee producers differently, including their respective capacities to adapt. She will be combining climate science, gender analysis, and laboratory-based physiological and biochemical analyses. By bridging the social and natural sciences, the study will provide a robust and inclusive pathway to future-proofing Ethiopia’s coffee sector, ensuring that the benefits of adaptation are shared equitably.
View the visual report of the community engagement as part of her research:
