Abstract
This study proposed a classification model for 125 agricultural productive units (APUs) in Tolima, Colombia, to establish whether they are related to the quality of coffee produced. The model considered two aspects related to farmer profile and farm profile. The following proposed categories resulted from the coordinate obtained in relation to the two aspects: Low-Low, High-Low, Low-High, and High-High. The variables for each aspect were prioritized using the analysis hierarchical process (AHP). The coffee’s quality, sensory profile by attribute, and specific descriptors for each category were determined employing the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol. The sensory attributes were analyzed by way of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Bonferroni test was used to compare by category, both with a significance level of α = 0.05. The model grouped the APUs by category and cup quality, with the High-High category achieving the best scores in the sensory analysis. The variables with the greatest relative weight within the AHP model constituted farmer stance regarding the use of good agricultural practices (44.5%) and farmer attitude toward excellence (40.6%) in the farmer’s profile. As part of the farm’s profile, environmental commitment level (38.0%) and international certifications (29.1%) were the greatest relative weights. Coffee in the High-High category was characterized by its notes of cinnamon, cocoa, chocolate, and dried vegetables.
Highlights
Coffee is one of the largest globally traded commodities and basic products exported by developing countries [1]
The classification model for the agricultural productive units (APUs) helped group them into the four categories proposed (Low-Low, High-Low, Low-High, and High-High) as it was possible to separate the farmers whose coffees achieved the highest cup quality
The variables with the greatest relative weight in the APUs classification model were the stance on using GAPs (44.5%) and attitude toward excellence (40.6%) as part of the farmer’s profile and environmental commitment level (38.0%) and application to international certifications (29.1%) as part of the farm’s profile
Summary
Coffee is one of the largest globally traded commodities and basic products exported by developing countries [1]. Because of its sensorial attributes, including aroma, body, and reputation, Colombian coffee has become a highly differentiated product worldwide [2,3]. The market for this type of product is constantly growing, driven by changes in consumer preferences [4]. Euromonitor’s projections indicate that the coffee business in Colombia will grow to $1.93 billion in 2023, that is, 26% more than the 2018 figures, which reached $1.52 billion [6].
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