Abstract:
Coffea arabica originates from Ethiopia. Wild Arabica coffee grows in the undergrowth of the Ethiopian
montane rainforests. The wild coffee populations are highly endangered by deforestation due to the
demand for agricultural land and settlement areas. This development is alarming as wild coffee is not only
consumed by local people; it is also an important cash crop for local markets as well as the international
specialty market Above all, it is an invaluable genetic resource for future coffee breeding worldwide. Over
the last four years, a multi-disciplinary research project carried out intensive research on coffee forests in
southwestern and southeastern parts of Ethiopia to develop a concept for sustainable use and conservation
of coffee genetic resources. Our floristic and moiecular-genetic studies show high species diversity of tha
forest and high genetic diversity of the wild coffee, respectively. Eco-physiological studies indicate sitespecific differences in the water-use efficiency of wild coffee populations. Research on fungal pathogens
reveals the existence of disease-tolerant wild coffee plants. Wild coffee collection is based on traditional
use rights rather than on governmental regulations for forest access. The global economic value of the
Ethiopian coffee genetic resource for breeding was estimated between US$ 0.5 and 1.5 billion. For the
implementation of there research findings, the Ethiopian Coffee Forest Forum was established. Based on
the findings, strategies for the conservation and use of wild Coffea arabica in the montane rainforests is
being developed and implemented at pilot sites. The conservation and use concept for implementations
and its prospects are discussed.
