Coffee Farmers of Yemen : Abdo Alqadah from Bait Alal in Hayma Kharijiya

Abdo Alqadah has been a coffee farmer for almost 60 years. “Personally, growing coffee has not been a struggle or a chore. I am healthy, and can do this for as long as I can!”

When asked about his coffee’s unique flavours, he says, “it is a consequence of the special place where it grows: high in the mountains, with unconditional love and care”. Being a participant in the auction means a lot to Abdo, where his coffee has qualified a couple of years in a row. “It is proof that my coffee is delicious, and that my hard work with the trees is paying off.” Abdo’s hopes are simple yet hearty. “I want to grow more coffee with better farming practices. Year on year, I want my coffee to be the best!”

Bait Alal Is Located In The Region Of Hayma Kharijiya In Sana’a. It Is Home To 300 Farming Families And The Bait Alal Is Perched On A Mountain Top At An Altitude Of 2,300 Metres Above Sea Level. The Farmers In Bait Alal See The Coffee Tree As A Symbol Of Pride And They Believe That Coffee Originated From This Area. The Land Has Been Passed Down Through The Generations, Some Of The Farmers Have Ownership Documents That Show That The Lands And The Coffee Trees Date Back A Few Hundred Years. The Farmers Face Difficulties Due To The Harsh Climate Which Is One Of The Reasons For Low Yields Being Produced. However, No Matter How Small The Harvest Is Or How Harsh The Conditions, The Farmers Never Abandon Their Coffee Trees.