Title:
COFFEE NARRATIVE WITH A FOCUS ON CERTIFICATION SCHEMES: ETHIOPIAN AGRI-FOOD VALUE CHAIN IN A GLOBAL MARKET CONTEXT

Authors:
Hiroko Oe*, Yasuyuki Yamaoka and Hiroko Ochiai ,UK/Japan

Abstract:
Certification programs that simultaneously promote ecologically sustainable agriculture and improve livelihoods are being used on a global scale, and are expected to contribute to aspects such as community self-reliance and im-proved working conditions for workers. However, few studies have conducted detailed analyses of stakeholder per-ceptions of certification systems and their implications for policy. This study focuses on the value chain of certified Ethiopian coffee and qualitatively examines the prospects and challenges of the coffee certification system from three perspectives: 1) Ethiopian coffee farmers, 2) supply chain actors and consumers in Japan, the largest importer and consumer, and 3) experts on certification systems in the agricultural sector in developing countries. Based on the findings of a total of 24 stakeholders, we concluded that for sustainable success of agribusiness and balanced development of local communities, it is necessary to (1) increase awareness of certification systems in production areas, (2) resolve the imbalance of interests between production areas and consumption areas, and (3) improve working conditions for women workers and spread awareness for this purpose.