| According to a report published by Forest Coffee | | | | - The objective is to maintain the genetic wealth |
| Conservation Project (FCCP), the "forest coffee," | | | | of the country for future breeding programs |
| found in south and southwestern Ethiopia can be | | | | aimed at producing improved coffee cultivars. |
| considered the origin of Coffea Arabica. | | | | - Development of the rural communities through |
| - Forest coffee is self-sown and grows under the | | | | socio-economic services as incentives to promote |
| shade of natural forest trees. | | | | conservation and adoption of sustainable land |
| - Coffee bushes are spread throughout the forest | | | | management practices. |
| among giant trees. | | | | - More specifically, the rural communities receive |
| - This biological environment is truly unique and it | | | | tree seedlings for the establishment of wood-lots |
| is the result of thousands of years. | | | | or community lots they can use as a source for |
| - Natural forest coffee has a wide diversity of | | | | energy, construction, and other agro-forestry |
| selections and is disease resistant. | | | | practices. |
| - This type of coffee offers high yields and top | | | | - Modern bee-hives are also very important for |
| quality aroma and flavor. | | | | the natural pollination of the forest. |
| - There is a concern about the long term | | | | - In addition, the programs help establish coffee |
| survivability of the forest coffee ecosystem in | | | | processing facilities, animal health clinics, health |
| Ethiopia. | | | | centers or clinics for the community, clean water |
| - As a result of deforestation, natural forest | | | | sources and revolving credit funds to encourage |
| coffee habitat and its associated flora and fauna | | | | private enterprise..Kontir Forest, since 2003, is a |
| are diminishing at an alarming rate. | | | | primary coffee forest sanctuary and its |
| - The reason this is alarming is because the | | | | protection includes armed guards to prevent |
| possible loss of Coffea Arabica would be | | | | deforestation, unauthorized coffee harvesting or |
| irreversible. This would have negative | | | | any other possible damage. Kontir Forest is in the |
| consequences for international coffee breeding | | | | Sheko Forest which is already classified as one of |
| and production.Every cultivated Arabica coffee | | | | the National Forest Priority Areas (NPA) in Ethiopia. |
| plant around the world originated from this | | | | Kontir Forest is not easily accessible and it |
| remote area. Coffee continues to grow in the | | | | represents about 20,000 acres out of the |
| wild, something that is not observed anywhere | | | | 417,000 total of Sheko Forest. |
| else. The beans harvested are usually used in | | | | How do you protect a coffee forest? Best |
| blend but they are very enjoyable in single origin | | | | international practices and protection measures |
| form as well. | | | | involve the local communities. Families living in the |
| What is being done to prevent the loss of Coffea | | | | surrounding area have permission to collect the |
| Arabica? Many efforts are underway and one of | | | | wild coffee in exchange for helping protect the |
| them is quite interesting. | | | | forest. In order to prevent over exploitation of |
| - The Ethiopian government, who owns the | | | | the forest, the harvesting is closely monitored and |
| forests and lands, with the help of international | | | | there are maximum yield quantities established. |
| scientists, identified one forest as an important | | | | Local farmers organized into a coffee cooperative |
| natural coffee forest. Kontir Forest, located in the | | | | and obtained a certificate so their coffee is |
| Bench District, is possibly where all coffee on this | | | | recognized as organic and a wild collection fruit. |
| planet originated. | | | | The quantities available are very limited but the |
| - This claim is made because there is no other | | | | benefits to the forest and the protection of |
| place on Earth that has the same diversity of | | | | Coffea Arabica for posterity are invaluable! |
| coffee plants. | | | | Kontir Forest is not the only forest sanctuary in |
| - The specific environmental protection objectives | | | | Ethiopia. There are several others and hopefully |
| include: conservation of flora, fauna, | | | | the trend will continue: Boginda-Yeb Forest Area; |
| micro-organisms, soil, water and other natural | | | | Gega-Dogi Rivert Forest Area, Dao Tobi Forest |
| resources. | | | | Area, and Ebba Forest Area to name just a few. |
| - Preservation of the germplasm ("seeds") of | | | | What about a cup of delicious Ethiopian Longberry |
| forest coffee plants in indoor and field gene banks. | | | | Harrar coffee freshly roasted to order? |