Torban brings together coffees produced on a small scale by farmers with traditional skills. Members of the cooperative work plots of just a few hectares, entirely by hand and without the use of chemicals. The coffee harvested is certified organic, bird friendly and part of a rich ecosystem. The plantations are located in the heart of a dense forest of endemic trees, which are becoming increasingly rare in Ethiopia. Species up to 40 metres tall, such as the evergreen Omi (Prunus Africana), provide shade for the Wadesa (Cordia Abyssinica), trees around 20 metres tall that are particularly suited to growing alongside coffee trees. By adapting their practices to respect this biodiversity, the farmers have ensured that it is maintained.
Belco wants the recognition of these coffees to encourage the preservation of a remarkable natural environment. This is at the heart of our approach, supported by our Forest Coffee brand.
The Torban Cooperative is an association of 23 primary cooperatives. Its leadership is democratic, with representatives elected by member farmers every three years. Indale Wolde is currently the president of the union, assisted by Gadisa Tarfa. They run the business from their offices in Mugi.
Torban has been operating under its own licence since 2006, prior to which it was a member of Oromia Coffee Farmer. This independence, gained over a decade ago, allows the cooperative to sell directly to Belco. This direct collaboration encourages constructive and regular exchanges between the teams. The common goal is to promote the exceptional quality of Torban coffee while preserving traditional farming practices based on agroforestry.