A Bright Future for Coffee: Daye Bensa Distributes 400,000 Seedlings to Farmers

On March 26, 2025, at Gatta Farm, Daye Bensa Coffee celebrated an exciting milestone: the distribution of 400,000 coffee seedlings to our hardworking farmers. This initiative is more than just a giveaway — it's an investment in the future of coffee farming, aiming to replace older, less resilient coffee varieties with high-quality, high-yielding seedlings developed through research.

Growing Together with Knowledge

At Daye Bensa, we believe that simply planting seeds isn’t enough. True growth comes from empowering farmers with the knowledge to nurture those seeds. That’s why, alongside distributing the seedlings, we organized hands-on training. Farmers learned the best planting techniques — from soil preparation to nurturing young plants — so they can make the most of their new seedlings

Learning from Daye Bensa Team

Leading the training, Tsegaye Dejene emphasized the importance of choosing shaded areas for planting, as coffee plants thrive best in such conditions. He also advised planting in the morning to give the seedlings the best start. To make the process easy for farmers, Daye Bensa delivered the seedlings directly to their homes — free of charge.

Mulugeta Dukamo, co-founder of Daye Bensa Coffee, shared his thoughts on the initiative: "We’re committed to the future of coffee. These seedlings are carefully chosen for their resilience and ability to produce more, even in challenging conditions. We want to make sure that farmers have the tools and knowledge to thrive."

A Partnership for Progress

We couldn’t do this alone. Working together with Starbucks, we’ve been able to make a real difference. Endale Taye, Starbucks’ representative, highlighted the importance of community support: "By partnering with Daye Bensa, we’re helping farmers plant for the future. It’s not just about distributing seedlings, but about teaching how to care for them properly — like digging 60x60 cm holes for optimal root development."

Voices from the Field: Farmer Perspectives

Tsegaye Erbetu, a dedicated farmer, shared his appreciation: "Working with Daye Bensa has changed our lives. They not only support us with seedlings but also help during school seasons, paying us on time so we can buy supplies for our kids. They teach us how to prepare soil, use compost, and even plant shelter trees to protect our coffee. It makes a big difference."

This project is about more than just coffee — it's about supporting farmers and building stronger communities. We’re proud to see our efforts taking root, and we’re grateful for the dedication of everyone involved. Together, we’re planting seeds of hope and sustainability.