Mattu University recently convened the inception workshop for the project titled "Coffee Growing Farmers' Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions: The Case of Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere." The workshop focused on the escalating threats that climate change poses to smallholder coffee farmers in Ethiopia’s Yayu Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized ecosystem famed for its wild coffee genetic resources.

During the workshop, participants—including researchers and NGOs—highlighted how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased pest outbreaks are severely undermining coffee yields. These changes jeopardize both the livelihoods of local farmers and the biodiversity of this ecologically critical region. The discussions emphasized the urgent need to integrate climate adaptation strategies with conservation efforts to safeguard the Yayu Biosphere’s unique environment and economic value.

The workshop also underscored the importance of combining traditional knowledge with scientific research to develop solutions tailored to the local context. Collaborative governance models involving local communities, government agencies, and international partners were identified as essential for scaling interventions and ensuring alignment with policy frameworks.

Concluding the event, participants agreed on a roadmap to pilot community-led initiatives and establish monitoring frameworks to track ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Ultimately, the project aims to balance livelihood security with biodiversity conservation, positioning the Yayu Biosphere as a global model for climate-resilient and sustainable coffee production.

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