Ethiopia

Alemayehu Hillo: OCR Smallholder Series

About 

Alemayehu Hillo: OCR Smallholder Series

Alemayehu Hillo

OCR Smallholder Series 2025

  • Alemayehu started to farm coffee on 2 ha plot and has been able to expand his farm to 6.55 ha by now.
  • In 2020 he obtained his own export license allowing him to secure higher margins for his coffee.
  • He dreams of building his own washing station.

Alemayehu Hillo Meko’s coffee journey began with a 2-hectare plot inherited from his father, who divided his land among six sons. Rather than settling for what he was given, Alemayehu pursued his ambition, gradually purchasing adjacent farms from neighbors migrating to the Bale Zone. Today, his farm spans 6.55 hectares.

He and his wife manage the farm together, ensuring that every step—from cherry selection to drying—is carefully overseen. During the harvest season, they hire up to 50 workers daily to support the increased workload. Beyond coffee, the family also rears animals, providing an additional source of income. In 2020, Alemayehu obtained his own export license, enabling him to sell coffee directly to international buyers. However, building strong, long-term relationships has proven challenging, and he has often had to rely on domestic markets and intermediaries. His dream is to establish his own washing station, allowing him to fully control processing and quality while securing better prices and recognition for his coffee.

Sidama, Chiri, Halo Bekola

Alemayehu’s farm is located in Halo Bekola kebele, Chire woreda, Sidama zone, an area that shares its eastern border with West Arsi. The farm sits between Bensa and Nensebo, two highly acclaimed coffee regions. Chire is part of the Harenna Forest, Ethiopia’s largest remaining natural forest, renowned for its rich biodiversity. The surrounding landscape is home to rare wildlife, native plants, and diverse bird species, creating an environment where coffee thrives naturally. Alemayehu’s land is divided by the Lodoma River, nestled between Odegambo and Lodoma Hills on an altitude of 1900 masl. This natural water source provides the perfect conditions for his long-term vision of owning a washing station.

The processing

Alemayehu produces around 12 metric tons of coffee annually, with 9.6 tons prepared as specialty coffee for export. The cherries are carefully picked and dried on 120 raised beds, where they are turned six times a day for even drying. The drying process takes 18–21 days, ensuring the beans reach their optimal moisture level.

Technical

Information

Region

sidamo

Processes

Natural

Varieties

Mixed Heirloom

Altitude

1900 masl.

Producer

Alemayehu Hillo Meko

Soil Type

Red brown loam soil

The future for Alemayehu and his farm

With the 2025 OCR: Smallholder Series we want to link roasters and producers who are interested in direct long-term relationships. Due to transparent payment structures we can assure all premium payments are reaching the hands of the farmer, making the impact of the relation measurable. Alemayehu and the other participating producers are eager to further improve quality and develop their coffee business.

To protect the coffee during drying, Alemayehu already uses rain and night covers. However, he aims to further improve quality by investing in shade nets to maintain stable drying conditions and floating tanks to remove defective cherries before drying, ensuring greater consistency. Despite these challenges, the farm’s location, altitude, and Alemayehu’s dedication result in coffee with outstanding quality and flavor. With continued investment, his coffee has the potential to reach even higher cupping scores.

“Come and see our coffee—you may be surprised by our enthusiasm to deliver the best coffee to the world.”

Operation Cherry Red

Operation Cherry Red: Smallholder Series 2025 exposes unique Ethiopian smallholder coffees. By working directly with these producers, we ensure premium payments reach the right hands and trace lots back to individual families. For roasters, this is a unique chance to source coffee right at its roots—challenging the norm of sourcing from regional washing stations. By partnering with exceptional smallholders, roasters can support truly impactful, transparent, and traceable coffee supply chains. Learn more about the OCR project here or discover other participating producers below.

Find more OCR Smallholder coffees