Ethiopia is Africa's largest coffee producer and ranks fifth globally, but dry spells are having a direct effect on production. Coffee plants ideally need mild temperatures between 15 to 26 degrees Celsius to thrive. Garmamu, who has been growing coffee for more than 20 years, plants false banana trees to provide shade to the coffee plants. With higher temperatures especially hitting the low-land areas, researchers believe farmers could potentially increase their yields four-fold by moving to higher regions with a more suitable climate. "Coffee is the country's biggest export earner, which is why the government is so focused on helping deal with the effects of climate change."

Source: Ethiopian News August 27, 2017 10:28 UTC