Coffee is produced in more than 50 countries worldwide, and data shows that more than 120 million people in the world depend on coffee for their livelihood. Our country, Ethiopia, is known to be the birthplace of Arabica coffee, the world’s most popular coffee, and the country that contributed coffee to the world. Currently, more than 5 million farmers produce coffee in our country, and more than 25 million members of society directly or indirectly depend on coffee for their livelihood. Coffee accounts for 5 percent of the country’s national product and is a source of 25-30 percent of foreign exchange.
Apart from its economic importance, citizens exchange their thoughts by drinking Abol, Tona and Bereka every day throughout Ethiopia.
Reasons that we should call it a coffee break instead of a tea break:
1. In terms of its contribution to the expansion of the philosophy of knowledge and world democracy.
In 1964, labor negotiators in the United States negotiated with investors under the motto “Give a coffee break and get whatever you give” and the “coffee break” was implemented.
Coffee, in particular, made a significant contribution to the 18th century, known as the Age of Reason and Philosophy. In the 18th century, famous philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau used to debate ideas in coffee shops. They also came up with new ideas. Philosophers used to drink coffee. This is called the era of “knowledge, philosophy, light”.
Coffee’s contribution to the prosperity of world democracy should be recognized. Jürgen Habermas, a German sociologist and political scientist, says that the 18th century was the golden age of democracy. For this reason, with the concept of the Public Sphere, people gather in coffee shops and similar places and discuss various ideas about their lives and common issues without restrictions. They argue within reason. They implement the agreed-upon agreement. Habermas says that when people gathered in coffee shops and talked, the differences of money, education, class, and the like were not taken into account. According to him, the government should consider the ideas that citizens have gathered in coffee cafeterias to discuss and reach an agreement.
2. Because coffee should be a unique brand of Ethiopia.
Brand experts say that only one country will benefit from the investment and tourism if the product (service) has a unique identity/brand. In this highly competitive and consumerist era, it is worthwhile to focus on a product that has a relative advantage to capture the consumer. This is what the experience of other countries shows. America is the “top of democracy”, England is the “Premier League”, France is the “wine”, Greece is the “philosophers”, and Egypt is the “pyramids”.Because of this, Ethiopia’s unique identity must be coffee. There is no better product or service than coffee. More than 4 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day in the world. If even 1 percent of China’s billions of people are coffee addicts.
3. Diplomatic position of our country
Data shows that Addis Ababa ranks 3rd in the world as a diplomatic seat. It hosts a number of international events. Therefore, during these events, instead of saying “Tea Break”, the program will help to promote free coffee if we call it “Coffee Break”. At every coffee break, coffee can be introduced by using a traditional coffee brewing system and making them drink the coffee.
4. Economic benefits
Coffee is the basis of life for 25-30 million people in our country. It accounts for 5 percent of the gross national product. Covering 25-30 percent of the export earnings, it accounts for the lion’s share; therefore, it should be recognized. To compete and win in the world market, we have no better product than coffee. The taste of our coffee is internationally recognized.
5. Coffee and climate change
According to studies, coffee is one of the products at risk due to climate change. Researchers are concerned that investing in coffee in Ethiopia is the solution so that coffee does not disappear from the world and the lives of 120 million people depend on coffee in the world. The researchers gave their testimony that if the current policy and implementation of building an economy that is resistant to climate change in Ethiopia continues, it is possible to increase coffee production by 4 times in Ethiopia.
Therefore, in order to inform the world community about the seriousness of climate change, we are calling it a “coffee break” to make the world community more aware of the issue, so that the world community can play its role in solving it.
You can reach the writer via email at sintayehugirma57@gmail.com
