Ethiopian coffee farmers take digital leap with new planning system

Ethiopian coffee farmers embraced digital transformation as Bench Maji Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union adopted enterprise resource planning software. With ITC’s support, over 21,350 farmers gained tools to improve efficiency, traceability, and compliance with global standards.

Ethiopian coffee farmers, long-time stewards of the country’s coffee heritage, are increasingly embracing digitalization to transform their practices, enhance market access, and secure sustainable livelihoods.

Despite Ethiopia’s status as a leading coffee producer, smallholder farmers face challenges like limited market access, volatile prices, financial exclusion, and inefficient supply chains. The lack of digital tools deepens these struggles, leaving a gap between their potential and day-to-day realities.

While agritech innovations are emerging, adoption remains low across farming communities.

To tackle challenges faced by small agribusinesses, ITC’s Alliances for Action, through the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) programme, has partnered with tech advisory firm Bopinc to bridge the gap between small processors and the tech sector.

This initiative supports coffee farmers and roasters in Ethiopia, cocoa processors in Ghana, and processors of cashews and other crops in Senegal.

ERP to enhance Bench Maji Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union’s operations

On 2 December 2024, Ethiopia’s Bench Maji Forest Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union marked a significant milestone with the launch of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

The event brought together regional representatives, government officials, partners, and farmer representatives to celebrate a transformative step forward for the Union.

Faced with operational inefficiencies and challenges in data management, the Union turned to digital solutions to streamline its operations.

The ERP system integrates financial, human resources, procurement, inventory, sales, and reporting management, alongside member profiles, creating a unified platform for efficient decision-making.

Already, nine primary cooperatives, representing over 3,000 farmers, have been incorporated into the system, capturing valuable geo-data for compliance and operational planning.

Scaling for greater impact

The Union is set to expand the system’s capabilities, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with local tech provider Cnet during the ERP inauguration ceremony. The agreement signed by the Union’s General Manager Getahun Tekle and Cnet CEO Bemnet Demissie paves the way to integrate core banking services and geo-data mapping for all member cooperatives.

This expansion will provide more than 21,350 farmer members with enhanced access to digital tools, aligning their practices with international regulatory standards, including EU due diligence requirements.

The system’s ability to enhance traceability and efficiency strengthens the Union’s competitiveness in global markets.

‘Digitalizing Bench Maji Forest Coffee Union’s operations is a massive achievement, offering a gateway for compliance with EU directives and ensuring sustainable coffee production and export,’ says Netsanet Nega, the Union’s Marketing Manager.

A vision for sustainable growth

This initiative is part of broader efforts at the International Trade Centre (ITC) to empower Ethiopian coffee cooperatives through digital innovation under the NTF V programme.

Through partnerships with local tech providers, such as Cnet, ITC ensures solutions are tailored to the unique needs of cooperatives, bridging the gap between agribusiness and digitalization.

The programme’s emphasis on co-creation and sustainability equips cooperatives like Bench Maji with the tools to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

About the projects

The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands and the International Trade Centre. The programme supports MSMEs in the digital technologies and agribusiness sectors. Its ambition is two-fold: to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of food systems, partially through digital solutions, and drive the internationalization of tech start-ups and export of IT&BPO companies in selected Sub-Saharan African countries.