Abstract
Three growing systems of Arabica coffee were evaluated under the energy perspective, in the state of Espírito Santo in Brazil. The systems are conventional cultivation (CC), cultivation with good agricultural practices (CGP) and organic farming (OF). It was made a comparison of the energy flows within these three systems to show sustainable levels of each one based on production average data of several family-farming units. Therefore, we analyzed crop yield, total energy efficiency reverse (TEER), energy efficiency of ripe coffee (EERC) and non-renewable energy efficiency (NREE). OF system had values for TEER, EERC and NREE of 3.3 4.7 and 7.9 respectively. Yet CC showed values of 1.8, 1.9 and 1.6 for TEER, EERC and NREE respectively. Furthermore, CGP presented values for TEER, EERC and NREE of 0.7, 1.3 and 1.4 respectively. The highest yield was observed in CGP, reaching an amount of 1794 kg ha-1(17,455 MJ); however, this system expends more energy than it converts. Thus, over those points, OF is the most sustainable system.
Highlights
Espírito Santo State, in Brazil, has 183.400 ha with crop plantations of Coffea arabica and produces over 2.0 million bags of processed coffee (120,000 tons), which plays around 10% of the gross agricultural output of the State (ESPÍRITO SANTO, 2008) and contributes to national coffee production in 8% (CONAB, 2013)
Given the importance of coffee and the need to verify peculiarities of the production processes with respect to sustainability, this study aimed to analyze, under the energy point of view, different Arabica coffee production systems in family- farming units located in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil
The highest performances of both evaluated seasons were observed for cultivation with good agricultural practices (CGP) system
Summary
Espírito Santo State, in Brazil, has 183.400 ha with crop plantations of Coffea arabica and produces over 2.0 million bags of processed coffee (120,000 tons), which plays around 10% of the gross agricultural output of the State (ESPÍRITO SANTO, 2008) and contributes to national coffee production in 8% (CONAB, 2013). Coffee production in this area is spread over 20 thousand farming units, of which, some are family-based agriculture, and coffee generates 71% of the production income for each property. Each possible combination of products and resources can be used as a comparative measure of production efficiency between two or among various agroecosystems, or even set comparisons throughout time (MASERA et al, 1999)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
