Colombian Coffee Research Articles

Internet of Things (IoT) System to Monitor Environmental Variables in a Coffee Crop

One of the challenges of the modern farming its based in satisfy the demand of a growing market, the same time that is increased the need to introduce technological alternatives of sowing and production that lead to a greater economic and environmental sustainability. The Coffee is one of the flagship products of our economy worldwide, for nobody is a secret that our grain is listed as one of the softest in the world due to the climatic conditions in which it is carried out its cultivation. This reason has allowed Colombian coffee to have great acceptance in international markets due to its high quality and flavor. But like all crops, coffee is exposed to a set of environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, soil type, rainfall index and wind, also of pests like the drill, and the rust, which finish for influence in the quality and grain production. Manually establishing the behavior of these variables becomes complex and not very functional, which is why the concept of the precision farming it allows us to introduce technology as an ally for coffee farmers, allowing them to reduce costs and significantly increasing grain quality.

Understanding soil health and associated farmers' perceptions in Colombian coffee systems

Soil health (SH) is important to the economics and environmental impacts of crop production, including coffee (<i>Coffea</i> spp.) culture. This study was conducted to gain insights into farmers9 perceptions related to SH concepts and their realities on Colombian coffee farms. A total of 223 soil samples were collected from 145 coffee farms in Cauca, Colombia, that vary by municipality, their membership status with a coffee co-op (member or non-member), and farmer gender. Samples were analyzed for 13 SH indicators, including wet aggregate stability (WAS), available water capacity (AWC), respiration rate, pH, active carbon (AC), organic matter (OM), protein, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Farmer co-op membership and municipality, but not farmer gender, were significant factors for SH status on farms. Farmer co-op members were asked to identify on their farms the plot that they perceived to have the highest soil fertility and the plot with the lowest soil fertility, which allowed for the evaluation of (1) the correctness of farmers9 SH perception, i.e., whether their perception was aligned with or similar to scientific measurements of SH, and (2) which SH indicators strongly influence farmer perception of SH. Farmers9 perceptions were found to be in line with the scientific laboratory measurements of SH, and their perceptions were significantly positively influenced by the soil9s organic matter and protein contents but negatively influenced by soil respiration. Finally, SH perception correctness was not correlated with farmer gender, locality, or SH conditions.

Weather Variability, Credit Scores and Access to Credit: Evidence from Colombian Coffee Farmers

This paper studies how weather variability affects credit scores and credit access in developing countries. Using rich administrative data on loans to coffee farmers from a large Colombian bank, I show that negative weather shocks lead to lower loan repayment, lower credit scores and more frequent denials of future loan applications. I present evidence that affected farmer's income and ability to repay recover more quickly from weather shocks than credit access. Therefore, the interplay of weather variability and credit scores can lead to the exclusion from credit markets of farmers who could repay a loan.

Identification of acid-tolerant coffee genotypes in a coffee germplasm collection of Colombia

One of the limitations of coffee production in many regions of Colombia is the soil acidity. According to historical soil chemical analysis records, more than 50% of coffee farms have pH values below 5.0. Because acid-tolerant coffee varieties are not available, farmers use calcareous additives to correct the problem, which incurs associated labor and input costs. The objective of this work was to identify acid-tolerant genotypes of Coffea arabica. For two contrasting soils in the coffee-growing area of Colombia (Andisol and Entisol), the effect of soil acidity on the growth of 20 genotypes of Coffea arabica during the seedling stage was evaluated. The genotypes were wild accessions that make up the Colombian Coffee Germplasm Collection and the Castillo® Naranjal Variety, used as commercial material. Six months after the seedlings were transplanted into soils treated with or without acidity correction additives, the weight of the dry matter of the roots, stems and leaves was recorded. Later, the acid-tolerant genotypes were identified by means of the quadrant method and the tolerance index. The Timor Hybrid and Rume Sudan genotypes were identified as tolerant of the acidity of the two soil types. These genotypes could be used as progenitors in a coffee breeding program leading to a commercial coffee variety tolerant to soil acidity. Key words: Andisol; entisol; Coffea arabica L.; timor hybrid; rume sudan.

Comparison of sensory attributes and chemical markers of the infrared spectrum between defective and non-defective Colombian coffee samples

Defects in coffee affect the sensory quality of finished drink. To avoid this, defective beans are usually removed after threshing, as, once the green beans have been roasted, it becomes difficult to identify the defects. Procedures have been developed to evaluate coffee samples using infrared spectroscopy to detect such defects. As such, this study evaluated infrared spectra and sensory attributes of 39 coffee samples in: commercial ground and instant coffees, medium and high roast quality coffees, and defects present in the coffee. The sensory analysis was performed by 10 judges, semi-trained by a Q-grader, and eleven attributes were assessed using a semi-structured hedonic scale. The spectra obtained from the coffee samples were processed by area normalization, first derivative, and second derivative, later followed by principle component analyses. The sensory results showed differences in the evaluated attributes, differentiating between the samples of high quality medium roast coffee from the other samples. Principal component analysis applied to IR spectra showed that when normalizing the data by area, the samples were discriminated, which explained 84% of variance; coffee defects in the samples of ground commercial coffee were separated from high quality coffee and instant coffee. Using the chemical descriptors obtained from the infrared spectra, it was possible to differentiate between high quality, commercial and instant coffee. Key words: Coffee bean defects; FTIR-ATR; principal component analysis; quality coffee.

Screening for phosphate-solubilizing fungi from colombian andisols cultivated with coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Phosphate (P) bioavailability is severely constrained in volcanic ash soils due to its high fixation rate. To overcome this problem the use of P-solubilizing fungi (PSF) has been proposed gaining recently great attention. However, despite encouraging results in the laboratory, their effectiveness under field conditions is debatable. To provide a better understanding of the dynamics of PSF in soils and to establish criteria for screening effective PSF a series of studies were conducted. PSF were isolated from coffee plantations grown in a Typic Udivitrand (QU), a Pachic Fulvundand (CH), and a Typic Melanudand (Ti). Fifty-four isolates (27 from CH, 19 from Ti, and 8 from QU) produced index of P solubilization among 16 and 106 mg L-1 using as P source phosphate rock. The results suggest that the microbial P solubilization was not only associated to the decrease in the culture medium pH, but also the production of organic acids associated with the most effective PSF. The higher production of organic acids seems to be associated lower fungal colony growth rate likely due to a carbon/energy drainage. The soil P-fixation capacity, soil organic content and degree of humification seems to control the relative abundance of PSF in the soils tested. In soils cultivated with coffee Phlebia subserialis is reported, for the first time, as a PSF. Key words: Colombian coffee zone; soil fertility; phosphorus fixation; organic acids; humificaction degree; Phlebia.

Comparison of statistical forecasting techniques for Colombian coffee demand in South Korea

This article shows a comparison of various methods as a statistical technique for making applied forecasts of Colombian coffee demand in South Korea. The aim is to model the demand behavior in the most adjusted and efficient way possible. To do this, the correlation factor between demand and different macroeconomic variables was analyzed, the one with the greatest relationship is selected and the autocorrelation factor is evaluated. Later, different deterministic methods are used such as linear regression by least squares, simple moving average, weighted moving average, simple exponential smoothing, and exponential smoothing with trend. As a result, a multiple linear regression analysis is obtained, an evaluation of the predictive capacity of the regression model was made through analysis of variance, and the calculation of the standard error of multiple estimation, multiple determination coefficient and the adjusted determination coefficient.

Identification of Colombian coffee price dynamics.

The daily Colombian coffee price is a chaotic signal that has emerged from a complex economic system. This work proposes to identify its dynamics by means of two models: a single multiscroll Chua system and the coupling of two of these systems. Models are fine-tuned through an artificial bee colony optimization algorithm. Results show that this approach can reconstruct the price signal in terms of several statistics and points out a way for its long-term forecasting.

Informal economy in coffee country: farmers’ use of Western certification schemes

This article investigates formal and informal economies in the Colombian coffee industry. We look at the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically goal no. 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production. One way of formalising is through the use of certifications. The article is based on fieldwork in Colombia, interviews with roasters and online research. We investigate the use of certifications as a way to ensure fair trade, natural resources and sustainable livelihoods, and look critically at certification programmes, and how certificates can be problematic for producers. Further, we look at direct trade as an alternative to established certification programmes. We look at direct trade, not as a replacement for formalized certification programmes, but as an alternative for some coffee producers, and we argue that there are several ways to include the United Nations’ SDG no. 12 into the coffee industry.

Local perceptions about rural abandonment drivers in the Colombian coffee region: Insights from the city of Manizales

One of the most challenging processes in the rural world is the one related to rural abandonment. Rural abandonment has drawn attention worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia without neglecting the importance in other regional contexts such as Latin America. Even though the literature about rural abandonment drivers is vast, these pieces of literature do not identify the drivers perceived by the people who live in rural areas. Therefore, in this paper, we search for the understanding of the perceived drivers of rural abandonment in the Colombian coffee region. The specific objectives were: (1) to identify socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents; (2) to analyze local attitudes toward the countryside and farming, and (3) to identify perceived factors influencing rural abandonment. We surveyed 320 households in 12 villages around the city of Manizales (Colombia), and we conducted 27 key informant interviews, and three focal groups. Our results show that the rural population faces several socio-economic constraints; however, despite these constraints, most people are willing to remain in the countryside (85%). We discussed the variables affecting these preferences. Furthermore, we found several drivers of rural abandonment perceived by the sampled population, where they highlight the lack of State support and rural education. We concluded that our results help to deepen into the understanding of the contemporary rural dynamics related to countryside abandonment.

Evaluation of aquifer contamination risk in urban expansion areas as a tool for the integrated management of groundwater resources. Case: Coffee Growing Region, Colombia

In Colombia, hydric resources research has focused mainly on surface water sources. However, the use and protection of groundwater has become important in regions where the access to surface water is difficult. In the city of Pereira, Colombia, it is estimated that the population growth rate is of 0,47% per year; growing from 457,667 inhabitants in 2011, to 481,080 inhabitants in 2020. Facts like this have generated great interest in the study and protection of groundwater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of groundwater contamination in the aquifer of Pereira within the limits of the Urban Expansion Zone of the municipality of Pereira (Colombian Coffee Growing Region), by determining the intrinsic vulnerability using the modified DRASTIC method, and the identification of anthropic threats in the study area. According with the findings, the moderate vulnerability class is the dominant one, representing the 58,3% of the aquifer's area, followed by high vulnerability class with 33,3% of the total area, and the class of very high vulnerability with 8,3% of the area, associated with a zone with high hydrogeological recharge conditions and shallow phreatic levels. Inadequate disposal of domestic wastewater, the existence of hydrocarbon conduction pipes and agricultural activity were identified as the activities that generate a high threat of contamination. Finally, the evaluation of the risk of contamination of the aquifer in the Urban Expansion Zone through the superposition of maps of intrinsic vulnerability and anthropic threats, allowed to differentiate the zones of the aquifer where groundwater presents a high risk of contamination. The obtained results provide information for knowledge and sustainable management of the aquifer, since it allows the delimitation of the areas where it's necessary to restrict the development of activities that deteriorate the quality of groundwater.

Integrating diversity of smallholder coffee cropping systems in environmental analysis

PurposeCoffee represents an important trade asset internationally. Around 70% of global coffee production is provided by 25 million smallholders farmers. In recent decades, coffee systems have been transformed into more intensified systems of coffee monoculture. The general objectives of this paper are to provide a better picture of the traditional coffee cropping systems and postharvest processes on-farm and to assess the environmental impacts, integrating the diversity of smallholder cropping systems.MethodsA Life Cycle Assessment from cradle to farm gate was performed for three cropping systems representative of Colombian coffee cultivation according to the associated crops and shadow trees: coffee alone (CA), coffee with transition shade (CTS), and coffee with permanent shade (CPS). The system studied includes inputs, agricultural production and postharvest operations using the wet method. The final product of farms is parchment bean coffee at farm gate. The technology used is representative of the average practices of smallholder coffee growers in the region. To address multiple functions of coffee, three functional units (FU) were selected: area by time (ha*year−1 unit area), productivity (ton of parchment coffee) and farmers income (1000 USD$). Seven midpoint categories were selected: climate change, acidification, terrestrial eutrophication, freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, and water resource depletion.Results and discussionWe present the life cycle inventory and impact assessment results from three types of cropping systems CA, CTS and CPS. For all FU, the CPS system has the lowest potential impact, excepted for marine eutrophication. CPS also has the highest coffee yields, however it has also the highest costs. Even if cropping system diversification is only one of multiple factors that influence environmental performance, agroforestry seems to be a promising path to reduce and mitigate environmental impacts by decreasing off-fam contributions (input fabrication).ConclusionsResults show the possibility that diversified cropping systems have an influence when assessing potential environmental impacts of coffee at farm gate and differences found might be influenced by shading in traditional coffee systems. Future work is needed to consider the real potential of CTS cropping system including land use and carbon dynamics. Assessments including social indicators and the rest of the value chain in particular coffee industrial transformation and utilization are also needed since the consumption stages are also a key driver to reduce the environmental footprint of coffee.

1H NMR metabolic fingerprinting of Chapada Diamantina/Bahia (Brazil) coffees as a tool to assessing their qualities

Coffees from the Chapada Diamantina (State of Bahia, Brazil) are considered high quality, due to the use of high-quality production and processing criteria throughout the entire process. This work uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to study the metabolic fingerprinting of these coffees, to contrast them to coffee from other regions. We analyzed 37 commercial samples, which are classified according to their quality (traditional, superior and gourmet). In the Principal Components Analysis scores plot, we observed four groups. The gourmet/superior group is formed by Chapada Diamantina coffees with the highest commercial value, Colombian coffees and some Brazilian ones with similar quality standards, and they present higher levels of caffeoylquinic acids and trigonelline. The group formed exclusively by Chapada Diamantina coffees presented higher lipid levels than the others. The Bahia group (except Chapada Diamantina coffees) presents very low intensities of caffeoylquinic acids signals. The coffees from other Brazilian states present higher quinine levels in comparison to those from Bahia, and lower levels of caffeoylquinic acids than those from Chapada Diamantina group. The results show that 1H NMR, coupled with chemometric methods, is a very effective tool to discriminate coffees, allowing us to obtain the most important information from the data set.

An Integration of Indonesian Market for Gree Coffee: A Review from Exported and Imported Market Outlook on the Major Exported Countries

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between price of Indonesian green coffee beanfrom three major exporters: Brazil, Columbia, and Vietnam as well as other six major importers: the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore in the world market. Data applied in this study are a time series from 1970 to 2012, extrapolated from Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) data set. To attain the target, all data are analyzed by applying cointegrated test and error correction model (ECM). The analyses show that 1). The exported price of Indonesian green coffee cointegrated with the prices on the market that is intended to the major importers and exporters; 2). The imported price of green coffee in the United States, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore have a significant spin-off for the short-term, but only the United States and Singapore are considered to be significant for the exported price of Indonesian coffee beans; 3). The exported price of Brazil and Vietnam possess a significant effect on the exported price of Indonesian coffee beans in both, short-term and long-term period, while the exported price from Colombian coffee beans are not significantly correlated Keywords: Coffee price, Cointegrated test, export, Import, Error correction model DOI : 10.7176/JMCR/61-04 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Learning for the transfer of knowledge in research centers of the Colombian coffee industry

The findings presented in this article are based on the results of a research on the incidence of learning in the transfer of knowledge in 24 research centers and institutes of the Colombian coffee triangle. Based on a qualitative research and with types of descriptive and correlational study. It can be concluded that organizational learning is a key factor for the transfer of knowledge and it is intended that the presented results formulate strategies in these organisms to advance knowledge transfer

The potential of coffee stems\xa0 gasification to provide bioenergy for coffee farms: a case study in the Colombian coffee sector

The coffee industry constitutes an important part of the global economy. Developing countries produce over 90% of world coffee production, generating incomes for around 25 million smallholder farmers. The scale of this industry poses a challenge with the generation of residues along with the coffee cultivation and processing chain. Coffee stems, obtained after pruning of coffee trees, are one of those abundant and untapped resources in the coffee supply chain. Their high lignocellulosic content, the low calorific value ranging between 17.5 and 18 MJ kg−1 and the low ash content make them a suitable solid fuel for thermochemical conversion, such as gasification. This research evaluates the feasibility of using these residues in small-scale downdraft gasifiers coupled to internal combustion engines for power and low-grade heat generation, using process modelling and the Colombian coffee sector as a case study. The producer gas properties (5.6 MJ Nm−3) and the gasifier’s performance characteristics suggest that this gas could be utilized for power generation. A cogeneration system efficiency of 45.6% could be attainable when the system’s low-grade heat is recovered for external applications, like in the coffee drying stage. An analysis of the energy demand and coffee stems availability within the Colombian coffee sector shows that the biomass production level in medium- to large-scale coffee farms is well matched to their energy demands, offering particularly attractive opportunities to deploy this bioenergy system. This work assesses the feasibility of providing coffee stem–sourced low-carbon energy for global coffee production at relevant operating scales in rural areas.

First description of bacterial and fungal communities in Colombian coffee beans fermentation analysed using Illumina-based amplicon sequencing

In Colombia, coffee growers use a traditional method of fermentation to remove the cherry pulp surrounding the beans. This process has a great influence on sensory quality and prestige of Colombian coffee in international markets, but has never been studied. Here we use an Illumina-based amplicon sequencing to investigate bacterial and fungal communities associated with spontaneous coffee-bean fermentation in Colombia. Microbial-derived metabolites were further analysed by high–performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Highly diverse bacterial groups, comprising 160 genera belonging to 10 phyla, were found. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), mainly represented by the genera Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus, showed relative prevalence over 60% at all sampling times. The structure of the fungal community was more homogeneous, with Pichia nakasei dominating throughout the fermentation process. Lactic acid and acetaldehyde were the major end-metabolites produced by LAB and Pichia, respectively. In addition, 20 volatile compounds were produced, comprising alcohols, organic acids, aldehydes, esters, terpenes, phenols, and hydrocarbons. Interestingly, 56 microbial genera, associated with native soil, seawater, plants, insects, and human contact, were detected for the first time in coffee fermentation. These microbial groups harbour a remarkable phenotypic diversity and may impart flavours that yield clues to the terroir of Colombian coffees.

The Influence of the Strength of Financial Institutions and the Investment-Production Delay on Commodity Price Cycles: A Framed Field Experiment with Coffee Farmers in Colombia

Commodity price cycles can arise when there is a tendency to invest more (less) when current prices are high (low). Traditionally this behavior is interpreted as based upon naïve expectations. However, weak financial institutions can also cause this behavior. When borrowing is hard and saving is risky farmers cannot invest in periods with low prices because their income is too low, while in periods with high prices they have few alternatives than to invest the surplus in their farm. In this paper, we present a framed field experiment to analyze how Colombian small-scale coffee farmers make investment decisions. We vary the strength of the financial institutions and the lag between investment and production. Overall there is a positive relation between prices and investment, and this relation becomes stronger when the financial institutions become weaker.

Laboratory rainfall-induced slope failure in a soil from the Colombian coffee region

Laboratory rainfall-induced slope failure in a soil from the Colombian coffee region

An integral methodological approach for biorefineries design: Study case of Colombian coffee cut-stems

This paper presents a generic and integral methodological approach for the design and assessment of multiproduct biorefineries. The proposed methodology has been developed based on 2-stage strategy, conceptual design and optimization. In the conceptual design stage, the theoretical data about the biorefinery are collected in order to build the superstructure. In the optimization stage, the formulated superstructure based on surrogate models, is optimized in order to generate the optimal biorefinery configuration where the utilities are produced internally from biomass via a cogeneration system. The proposed framework is applied to evaluate the optimal exploitation of Coffee Cut-Stems (CCS). The results show that ethanol is the most interesting product following dilute acid pretreatment and the fermentation of C5 and C6 sugars due to the large yield of the process. However, an alternative scenario where energy is the protagonist, results in the selection of power and heat as main products.