Coffee Farmers Research Articles

A bitter cup of coffee? Assessing the impact of climate change on Arabica coffee production in Brazil

Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter of Arabica coffee, faces increasing challenges from climate changes. To maintain the sustainability of this commodity, innovative management techniques will be essential. This study aimed to assess the impact of climate projections, considering two CMIP6 emission scenarios (SSP2–4.5 and SSP5–8.5) on the phenology and yield of Arabica coffee in 36 representative locations across Brazil for the periods 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100. Observed meteorological data from the BR-DWGD (Brazilian Daily Weather Gridded Data) and projected data from CLIMBra (Climate Change Dataset for Brazil) were employed. An agrometeorological model, calibrated for Brazilian conditions, estimated yield and phenology. Results indicate significant impacts on coffee cultivation areas, mainly due to rising temperatures and increased water deficits. Projections also suggest changes in coffee phenology, with anthesis advancing in colder regions and delaying in warmer areas, while maturation timing occurring earlier in all climates. Yield increases from CO₂ fertilization were more pronounced in category C climates (Cfa, Cfb, Cwa, and Cwb), particularly in Cwb climates, reaching 2.9 bags ha−1 (3.7 bags ha−1 with irrigation) under the SSP2–4.5 scenario and 2.5 bags ha−1 (3.5 bags ha−1 with irrigation) under SSP5–8.5. However, higher temperatures and water deficits could cause severe yield losses, especially in Aw climates and under high-emission scenarios, where losses may reach 100 %. Irrigation will play an important role in mitigating yield losses, especially in northern regions such as northern Minas Gerais and Bahia, where yields could exceed 30 bags ha−1. While southern Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and northern Paraná are projected to have the highest yields, these regions also face greater uncertainty and variability. This study underscores the need for adaptive agricultural practices, the development of resilient coffee cultivars, and supportive research policies to ensure the sustainability of coffee farming in the face of climate change.

Effects of Coffea canephora genotypes on the microbial community of soil and fruit

In recent years, the role of microbial communities in agricultural systems has received increasing attention, particularly concerning their impact on plant health and productivity. However, the influence of host plant genetic factors on the microbial composition of coffee plants remains largely unexplored. This study provides the first comprehensive investigation into how genotype affects the microbial communities present in the rhizosphere and fruits of Coffea canephora. Conducted on a commercial coffee farm in Brazil, we analyzed six genotypes of C. canephora var. Conilon. Soil and fruit samples were collected from which microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced, targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16 S rDNA and the ITS1 region for fungi. A total of 12,239,769 reads were generated from the 16 S rDNA and ITS1 regions. The PCoA revealed distinct patterns of beta diversity, with genotype 153 exhibiting significant isolation in soil bacterial communities. The dominant bacterial orders included Rhizobiales and Rhodobacterales, while the fungal community comprised diverse taxa from Saccharomycetales and Hypocreales. LEfSe analysis identified key metagenomic biomarkers, highlighting genotype Baiano 4 for its richness in fruit-associated taxa, whereas genotype 153 exhibited lower diversity in both soil and fruit samples. This work enhances our understanding of the microbiomes associated with different coffee genotypes, providing evidence of how host genetic variation influences microbial community composition. Our findings indicate that specific microbial taxa are enriched in the fruits and soil of various genotypes. Future research should focus on identifying these microorganisms and elucidating their specific functions within the rhizosphere and coffee fruits.

Unveiling Critical Innovation Factors in Sustainable Coffee Production: A Colombian Perspective

Abstract The coffee sector stands as a cornerstone of Colombia’s economy, ranking third in the nation’s export portfolio. Despite the Colombian coffee esteemed global reputation, it has yet to fully exploit its potential for diversification into differentiated products. Present agro-industrial paradigms emphasize trade and sustainable, efficient agricultural practices, underscoring the imperative for innovation across production, marketing, and distribution channels. This study aims to pinpoint the pivotal innovation factors within coffee farm production processes. To this end, a sample of 66 coffee farms was selected through simple random sampling. Drawing from the 2018 Oslo model, innovation types associated with sustainable specialty coffee certifications were delineated. Within this framework, seven fundamental factors emerged for investigation: economic, social, environmental, production, knowledge, technology, and change management. Through cluster analysis, it became evident that economic, environmental, knowledge, technological, and change management factors are indispensable for fortifying the coffee industry.

Perception of and adjustment to adverse weather events among smallholder coffee farmers in Rwanda

AbstractChanging temperature and precipitation patterns threaten smallholder farmers producing coffee. Adaptation is crucial, and perceiving adverse weather events as a risk is the first step towards it. The study, therefore, investigated the link between smallholder coffee farmers' perception of adverse weather events and their adjustments to them. First, four distinct groups of farmers can be distinguished based on their risk perception of adverse weather events. Results show that farmers' risk perception is connected to changes in the timing of the seasons and the expected amount of precipitation. Most farmers in the sample adjust to the adverse weather events they experience. Results also found that farmers’ risk perception and adjustment decisions are closely linked.

Financial Factors, Financial Literacy and Coffee Output among Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Kenya

Financial Factors, Financial Literacy and Coffee Output among Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Kenya

Evaluation of the Sustainability Status of Arabica Coffee-based Eco-farming on Sembalun’s Drylands, East Lombok Regency

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the application of eco-farming practices to support the sustainability of Arabica coffee farming in the drylands of Sembalun, East Lombok Regency. Specifically, it aims to: (1) assess the effectiveness of eco-farming in creating a sustainable agricultural system, (2) evaluate the sustainability status of Arabica coffee farming in Sembalun, and (3) identify solutions that enhance the sustainability of Arabica coffee farming and the well-being of local farmers. Study Design: The study follows a mixed-methods design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in the Arabica coffee farming areas of Sembalun, East Lombok Regency, over a period of two months Methodology: Arabica coffee farmers in Sembalun were selected as the primary unit of analysis. Data collection involved direct interviews, field observations, and documentation of farming practices. The gathered data were analyzed using Multiaspect Sustainability Analysis (MSA) with Exsimpro software to assess the sustainability across five dimensions: ecology, economy, sociocultural aspects, institutional factors, and technology. Results: The findings reveal varying levels of sustainability across the evaluated dimensions. The sustainability status of Arabica coffee farming in Sembalun is considered good, with an average score of 64.58, indicating that current farming practices meet sustainability standards. Sustainability solutions for Arabica coffee farming in Sembalun involve a holistic approach, including agroforestry, farmer empowerment through training and cooperatives, product diversification, and support from government and private sectors to balance economic and environmental goals. Conclusion: The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the sustainability status of Arabica coffee farming in Sembalun, highlighting the role of eco-farming practices in improving ecological balance, economic viability, social welfare, institutional support, and technological advancement in farming. The findings suggest several actionable recommendations for policy enhancements to support long-term sustainability and improve farmer well-being in this region.

Productivity and technical efficiency of Robusta coffee farms at varying elevation categories in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines: implications on sustainability

Productivity and technical efficiency of Robusta coffee farms at varying elevation categories in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines: implications on sustainability

Machine learning techniques for coffee classification: a comprehensive review of scientific research

In the realm of agribusiness, transformative shifts are underway, propelled by the growing demands and expanding scales of grain production. This evolution calls for a critical reevaluation of the existing paradigms in coffee production and marketing paradigms, with a specific focus on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI). This work aims to review, synthesize, and summarize the available data regarding how Machine Learning (ML) has been used to detect and classify characteristics in coffee beans and leaves. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature review of the most significant research contributions describing the application of AI for advanced classification techniques in coffee agriculture has been carried out. Our analysis suggests that implementing AI technologies allows the classification of coffee, encompassing various attributes such as maturity, roast intensity, disease identification, flavor profiles, and overall quality. More largely, this technological advancement holds the potential to revolutionize coffee farming by providing producers and agricultural specialists with sophisticated tools to enhance production efficiency, minimize costs, and improve the accuracy and confidence of their decision-making processes. The motivation for the literature review is to address the increasing global demands and evolving scales of grain production, particularly in coffee farming, by critically reevaluating existing paradigms and integrating AI techniques. This review aims to synthesize and summarize how ML has been utilized to detect and classify various characteristics of coffee beans and leaves, thereby highlighting the potential of AI to revolutionize coffee farming by enhancing production efficiency, minimizing costs, and improving decision-making accuracy. This article presents the latest studies in ML in the coffee area, observes the methodology used, and allows researchers to develop new solutions that cover gaps in the literature, open problems, challenges, and future trends, bringing a real contribution to the scientific field. Finally, this article gathers and presents the databases used in many studies, which may be useful for future ML projects.

The Role of Training on Uptake of Management Technologies for Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) and Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) among small Holder Coffee Farmers in Kayunga District, Uganda

The Role of Training on Uptake of Management Technologies for Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) and Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) among small Holder Coffee Farmers in Kayunga District, Uganda

IMPACT OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION ON THE VISIBILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF COFFEE PRODUCTION IN CERRADO MINEIRO

The demand for sustainable agricultural practices and products that meet ethical criteria has grown among consumers, making certifications such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ essential for producers seeking to stand out in the market. This study is justified by the need to understand how certifications can add value to coffee and influence the profitability of producers, in addition to promoting practices that guarantee the economic and social sustainability of rural communities. The general objective was to investigate the impact of certifications on the visibility and competitiveness of coffee from the Cerrado Mineiro region. The methodology adopted was qualitative, with documentary analysis and literature review, following ethical guidelines and without direct interaction with producers. Data were collected from reports, academic articles and statistics from relevant institutions. The results indicated that certified coffees tend to achieve prices up to 30% higher than non-certified coffees, reflecting the willingness of consumers to invest in products that meet quality and sustainability standards. In addition, certifications encouraged the adoption of more responsible agricultural practices, generating social and environmental benefits for producing communities. The study concludes that quality certifications are essential for the competitiveness of coffee farming in Cerrado Mineiro, recommending continued support for these practices to promote a sustainable and ethical production model.

Economical-epidemiological analysis of the coffee trees rust pandemic.

Coffee leaf rust is a prevalent botanical disease that causes a worldwide reduction in coffee supply and its quality, leading to immense economic losses. While several pandemic intervention policies (PIPs) for tackling this rust pandemic are commercially available, they seem to provide only partial epidemiological relief for farmers. In this work, we develop a high-resolution spatiotemporal economical-epidemiological model, extending the Susceptible-Infected-Removed model, that captures the rust pandemic's spread in coffee tree farms and its associated economic impact. Through extensive simulations for the case of Colombia, a country that consists mostly of small-size coffee farms and is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, our results show that it is economically impractical to sustain any profit without directly tackling the rust pandemic. Furthermore, even in the hypothetical case where farmers perfectly know their farm's epidemiological state and the weather in advance, any rust pandemic-related efforts can only amount to a limited profit of roughly 4% on investment. In the more realistic case, any rust pandemic-related efforts are expected to result in economic losses, indicating that major disturbances in the coffee market are anticipated.

Dynamics of living income for coffee farming households in agricultural area development policy: Socio-spatial integration

A decent income is an important part of overcoming economic disparities in agricultural development, especially in developing countries where most of the population are small farmers. As a developing country, Indonesia has also established a decent standard of living by setting a minimum wage as a reference for a decent income at the national and regional levels. However, this benchmark is not relevant to be applied uniformly at all levels of workers. This research determines the national coffee development area as the study center. We developed the Anker living wage methodology as a simple concept for determining living income for certain worker communities, especially for small farmers in rural areas who dominate the type of work in Indonesia. a socio-spatial approach is used to visualize the distribution of the dynamics of a decent life in various conditions of farming households. We found that 96.6% of coffee farming households in the national coffee development area had an inadequate living income, and only 3.4% were at an adequate level. We conclude that the current state of agricultural land management does not guarantee a decent income, even though efforts have been made to maximize agricultural crop productivity. The spatial description also shows that this condition is evenly distributed throughout residential areas. It is hoped that this approach can become an essential reference in implementing agricultural development programs that focus on welfare and equitable development as benchmarks for sustainable development goals in the future.

Development and Evaluation of a Variable-Rate Fertilizer Distribution System for Coffee Plants

Currently, Brazilian coffee farming seeks the rational use of resources through sustainable practices. As a result, the development of machinery with more efficient input application systems and the adoption of precision agriculture techniques have been yielding excellent results. This study was divided into two stages, with the first involving the adaptation of a solid fertilizer application machine with fixed doses, allowing dose variation using an electronic controller. The second stage consisted of conducting trials and their applications under operational conditions. The results confirmed that the developed system remained stable in terms of variable-rate fertilizer distribution for coffee cultivation. The machine’s lateral fertilizer distribution range met the demands of coffee farming satisfactorily. In field conditions, the developed system exhibited an average error of −2.9%, compared to the programmed doses, validating the accuracy of the machine and its suitability for use in coffee plantations.

Cost of Productions and Partial Budget Analysis of Coffee (<i>Coffea arabica</i> L.) Seedling Across Various Pot Sizes and Biochar-Based Media Preparations

Coffee cultivation mainly lies in the production of coffee seedlings with desirable characteristics under the recommended nursery management operations. Any improper handling made at early stage would remain to cause poor field performances. Biochar is considered as a soil conditioner and a carrier for plant nutrients, which improve the different soil functions, as an amendment to improve soil fertility, soil pH, available phosphorus, organic carbon, and water retention. The experiment was conducted to provide detail information on production costs and gross net profits of reduced sizes poly bag and biochar application used for coffee seedling production under small scale farmers. Biochar to topsoil blended at 1:3 ratio was found to increase (SVI) over the local and standard practice by 66.50% and 7.50%, respectively. Hence, combined effects of reduced pot size (13x19cm) with biochar mixed topsoil 1:3 noticed to significantly improve soil chemical conditions and growth response of coffee seedlings under nursery conditions at the study area. Besides, the result of simple partial budget analysis indicated the cost effectiveness with reduced polybag sizes as compared to the conventional pot sizes, especially for production, transportation and early stage field transplanting of quality coffee seedlings in large quantities. However, it is imperative to assess the effects of the present promising pot size and pot media treatments under field performance by considering growth, yield, and quality performances and profitability to smallholder coffee farmers over locations and year in the study area and other similar agro ecological zones in the country.

AGRIBISNIS KOPI DALAM MENDUKUNG PENGEMBANGAN AGROWISATA DI DESA COLOL, KECAMATAN LAMBA LEDA TIMUR, KABUPATEN MANGGARAI TIMUR (Coffee Agribusiness In Supporting Agrotourism Development In Colol Village, Lamba Leda Timur District, East Manggarai District)

Colol Village is a wilaya located in East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, which has good environmental and geographical characteristics, fertile soil and a suitable climate for coffee cultivation. The coffee varieties that are being developed are Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee. The people of East Manggarai have a cultural tradition that is close to coffee. The aim of this research is to analyze the factors that influence coffee production in Colol Village, determine farmers' perceptions of agrotourism development in Colol Village and describe the implementation of the coffee agribusiness system in Colol Village, East Manggarai Regency. This research used mixed methods with a sample size of 56 people using multiple linear regression data analysis methods, Likert scale analysis and descriptive qualitative analysis. The results of the research show that in coffee production the factors of land area, farming experience, farmer age, education level, household income, and coffee sales income level influence the development of agrotourism in Colol Village, East Manggarai Regency and based on Likert scale analysis, Colol coffee farmers agree with the development of coffee agrotourism in Colol Village and coffee production and agrotourism potential are related, the potential for coffee farming as a tourist attraction thereby strengthening the local economy and creating sustainable opportunities for the development of Colol village, East Manggarai

Battling Climatic Shifts: Vulnerability of Coffee-Based Farm Households and Resilient Practices in Coffee Farms, Wayanad, Kerala

Battling Climatic Shifts: Vulnerability of Coffee-Based Farm Households and Resilient Practices in Coffee Farms, Wayanad, Kerala

Implementation of Smart Farm Systems Based on Fog Computing in Artificial Intelligence of Things Environments.

Cloud computing has recently gained widespread attention owing to its use in applications involving the Internet of Things (IoT). However, the transmission of massive volumes of data to a cloud server often results in overhead. Fog computing has emerged as a viable solution to address this issue. This study implements an Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) system based on fog computing on a smart farm. Three experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the AIoT system. First, network traffic volumes between systems employing and not employing fog computing are compared. Second, the performance of the communication protocols-hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), message queuing telemetry transport protocol (MQTT), and constrained application protocol (CoAP)-commonly used in IoT applications is assessed. Finally, a convolutional neural network-based algorithm is introduced to determine the maturity level of coffee tree images. Experimental data are collected over ten days from a coffee tree farm in the Republic of Korea. Notably, the fog computing system demonstrates a 26% reduction in the cumulative data volume compared with a non-fog system. MQTT exhibits stable results in terms of the data volume and loss rate. Additionally, the maturity level determination algorithm performed on coffee fruits provides reliable results.

PENINGKATAN DAYA SAING KELOMPOK TANI MELALUI PEMANFAATAN TEKNOLOGI PERTANIAN

Indonesia is known as an agricultural region with a wide variety of agricultural and plantation commodities. Plantation commodities such as coffee plants are one of the superior products produced by farmers in Indonesia. Coffee plants grow in mountainous areas with relatively cold weather temperatures. Geographically, natural conditions support coffee plants to grow well even with limited technology. Community service activities aim to increase the competitiveness of coffee farmer groups through the application of technology. The community service activities were carried out in Mekarmanik Village, Cimenyan District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province. Service partner Tiwikrama Mukti Farmer Group is engaged in coffee plantations around Mekarmanik village. Coffee trees in this area are planted intercropped with rubber trees that grow on land owned by the PERHUTANI State-Owned Company. The method of implementing the service activities provides assistance with a set of grass cutting equipment and garden support equipment. This equipment can help farmers clean grass and weeds that often grow around the garden so that the growth of coffee plants can be better. In addition to providing agricultural equipment instruments, the service team provided simulations on the use of tools and counselling to farmer group partners regarding the market potential of coffee commodities. The results of community service activities in farmer groups after carrying out garden maintenance can increase coffee productivity. Coffee farmer groups also have a better understanding of coffee marketing circulation so that farmers obtain more optimal economic returns.

Impacts of the European Union deforestation regulation on Vietnam’s coffee supply chains

In June 2023, the European Union (EU) enacted the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), which requires agricultural products to enter and leave its territory free from deforestation. The regulation applies to seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, wood, and their derivative products. The regulations apply to seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, wood, and their derivate products grown or raised on land subject to deforestation or forest degradation will be banned from entering the EU market. EUDR will have a significant impact on Vietnam’s Exports of Agricultural Products. Coffee, rubber, wood, and wood products are the main industries in Vietnam affected by this regulation, as the country exports a substantial portion of these products to EU markets. This article examines the impacts of the European Union Deforestation Regulation on Vietnam’s coffee supply chains, discusses possible unintended effects on coffee farmers and farming households, and explores strategies to mitigate these negative impacts while highlighting specific challenges that may arise. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding and management of Vietnam’s agricultural exports, particularly in the coffee sector. Additionally, the article gives some recommendations for improving Vietnam’s laws and policies on deforestation-free products.

CÁLCULO DE LA HUELLA VIRTUAL DEL AGUA EN EL PROCESO PRODUCTIVO Y BENEFICIADO DE CAFÉ (Coffea arabica L.) EN HUATUSCO, MÉXICO, UTILIZANDO EL SOFTWARE CROPWAT 8.0

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The use and expenditure of water within agriculture is of vital importance, especially in coffee farming, therefore it is very important to know that the virtual water in the production of coffee beans, as well as in the process of wet processing (transformation of cherry coffee to dry parchment coffee), so far there is no data on the use of virtual water in coffee production in the study region. <strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the virtual water (green and gray) calculation of the virtual footprint by means of the FAO program CROPWAT 8.0 and the calculation of water expenditure in coffee mills in the region of Huatusco, Veracruz. <strong>Methodology:</strong> The program CROPWAT 8.0 was obtained, and normal climatological data were reviewed to obtain the data and to be able to make the calculations to obtain the virtual footprint, subsequently the water expenditure was measured in five wet coffee mills, for this purpose the mills were visited during the harvest season and the measurements could be made. <strong>Results:</strong> A total green and gray virtual footprint of 977.61 m<sup>3</sup>/kg of coffee produced in the field production process was estimated. In relation to the virtual water expenditure in the wet coffee mills where water expenditure was measured: two of the five mills analyzed had the following data: The third mill reached an expense of 566 m<sup>3</sup>/kg of processed cherry coffee and the five mill had an amount of 162 m3/kg of processed cherry coffee and an average of 155.13 m<sup>3</sup>/kg of processed coffee. In total, the virtual footprint obtained: green, gray and water consumption in the processing process was 1132.73 m<sup>3</sup>/kg of parchment coffee. The blue virtual footprint was considered zero since irrigation is not used in the region for coffee production. <strong>Implications:</strong> The data found are the pioneers in the calculation of the virtual footprint of the species <em>(Coffea arabica</em> L.) more studies on this subject are needed in the region which will raise awareness about the virtual footprint generated in the coffee production and processing process, as well as proposed alternatives for a more sustainable use. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The virtual footprint obtained was high in the study region and like studies carried out in other countries, which indicates that there is an awareness of how much water is used in the production and processing of coffee, as well as its impact in the short, medium and long term.</p>