The Chelchele farm and its washing station are managed by Metad, around 400 km south of Addis Ababa, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples administrative region. The farm was set up in 2013, on a 30-hectare site at the very heart of the Yirgacheffe appellation, internationally renowned for the quality of its coffees. Metad works with local farmers who supply it with their best cherries. Currently, more than 2,000 farmers in the Gedeb area sell all or part of their harvest to Metad.
What's more, Belco has discovered a company involved in development projects that go beyond the farm itself, and this approach has encouraged the desire to work with them. Aware of the natural heritage of the Gedeo area, Metad promotes farming practices that are more respectful of the environment. In addition, it finances road building and a primary school for 800 pupils in the vicinity of the washing station, which it runs entirely on its own.
