1961
Daniel Miju’s, Alemayehu's father, moves to Gedeb to settle and grow coffee.
It was 1961, and a young Ethiopian man set out from his home in Sidamo and headed to the lush forests around Worka Chalbesa near Gedeb to seek his fortune. Young Daniel Miju was single at the time he set up his coffee and false banana farm.
He soon found a wife, and following the culture of his people, married two more wives over the years. Daniel had many children – thirteen boys and ten girls – and lived to a ripe old age, leaving his land to his sons, one of whom is Alemayehu Daniel.
One of Alemayehu’s biggest concerns is carrying on his father’s name and legacy. His father’s land has been divided among him and his brothers, with each receiving a little over 10 hectares. Here, on this well-watered land that is shaded by towering indigenous trees, Alemayehu grows some of the best Gedeb coffee you can find.
When Daniel Miju divided his land among his sons, he gave each of his son’s coffee seedlings so they could grow their own coffee. It is from this source that Alemayehu’s coffee comes.
Alemayehu’s father left behind a family that stands together, and while each brother has his own land and crop, they all work as one, even taking turns to watch over each other’s coffee – especially important after the cherries have been picked and are drying.
During harvest season, Alemayehu hires 40-60 people to ensure ripe cherries are picked on time. They are washed, and he personally makes sure the cleaning is top-notch. Once the cherries are dry, he takes them to Gedeb.
Alemayehu’s coffee used to find its way to the market through a union, but he has since taken out an export license of his own. This is his second year working under his own license. He has won awards from the government for the quality of his coffee.
In 2018, one of his lots was sold via the Operation Cherry Red Auction, and Alemayehu and his brothers were thrilled. His only regret is that his father did not hear about the auction before he passed away just two years ago.
This gives me a chance to provide for my family better, give my children a better education; and maybe even buy a car and a house in Dilla. I can grow my farm and carry on my father’s name.
Alemayehu spends a large amount of cash-paying his temporary help at harvest time, getting his coffee to Gedeb, getting it cleaned, and getting it to Addis Ababa – from where its flavors head out to the world.
The higher premium he can receive from international sales means he can invest in much-needed equipment, such as a generator and lights, and raise his standard of living and that of his family.
“I can’t work without her”, Alemayehu says of his wife who prepares meals for the workers during harvest time and oversees the farm when Alemayehu has to travel to Addis Ababa.
She is also in charge of preparing organic compost for the coffee trees. Alemayehu himself is a father of eight – six boys and two girls. “There is no going backwards, only going forwards”, he says with a smile.
2050 - 2110 masl.
Alemayehu Daniel