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Meet the women farmers for Bani Ofair

In the village of Bani Ofair, deep in the heart of Dhamar, the women who cultivate coffee do so with purpose, tradition, and resilience. They are not just farmers—they are the backbone of a community closely tied to the land and its coffee trees. This coffee lot comes from the smallholder female farmers of Bani Ofair, and these are some of their stories.

Ghsoon began her journey 25 years ago, following a family tradition that has been passed down through generations. At 40, she balances her time between home and farm, tending to the coffee trees with a dedication that reflects her deep love for the crop. She handles everything from watering and fertilising to the delicate timing of the harvest, all while contending with pests and harsh environmental conditions.

Zekra started growing coffee 20 years ago after marrying into a farming family. Her first harvest filled her with a sense of accomplishment, having nurtured the trees from seed to fruit. Her days start early, filled with farm work and caring for her four children. Financial challenges and unpredictable weather often threaten the coffee flowers, but her passion remains unshaken. Each cup of coffee serves as a reminder of her efforts and fuels her dream of Yemeni coffee gaining global recognition.

Layeqa, the oldest among them, has been growing coffee for nearly 40 years, having been introduced to farming through marriage. To her, coffee is more than a crop—it is a lifelong partner that has seen her through decades of hard work and sacrifice. Financial burdens, from costly fertilisers to damaged irrigation, along with the impact of droughts and relentless rains that ruin harvests, weigh heavily. She has sold personal belongings to keep the farm running, yet finds comfort knowing her coffee reaches people around the globe. Her hope is to inspire future generations to continue this legacy, envisioning a future where Yemeni coffee finally receives the recognition it deserves.

These women of Bani Ofair embody the spirit of Yemeni coffee farming—resilient, proud, and unwavering. In every bean of Yemeni coffee, there is a story of dedication, a tribute to the hands that grew it, and a taste of the future they strive to build.