Organic Coffee Research Articles

Why do Farmers in Nyaruguru District Adopt Organic Coffee Production Methods?

Purpose: Nyaruguru is the most southerly district in Rwanda, lying between the cities of Butare and Cyangugu and along the Burundian border. It is mountainous, containing part of the montane forest of Nyungwe, one of Rwanda's most popular tourist destinations. Innovation and adoption of new technologies in agriculture is one of the keys that should reduce poverty in that area. The aim of this study is to analyse the factors influencing farmer’s adoption of organic coffee production practices in Rwanda. Methodology: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design and a multi-stage sampling technique to select a sample for this study. However, a total sample size of 150 respondents was used. The functional form of the stochastic frontier production (or cost) model employed for this study is the Cobb-Douglas (C-D) functional form. In the analysis, descriptive statistics and a Tobit model were used with the help of STATA. Findings: The study found out that appropriate seeds and planting material is one of the most important factors in production. The findings of logit regression analysis also indicated that four factors such as education level, land size, farming experience, gender and enhanced soil fertility had positive and significant influence on adoption of organic coffee production practices. The demand for organic products creates new export opportunities. The market returns from organic agriculture can potentially contribute to local food security by increasing family incomes. Conclusion: The study conclude that the most common constraints to adoption of organic coffee production practices were lack stable and reliable market, high cost of inputs, lack of extension services, and inadequate capital. Recommendations: The study recommended that efforts aiming at promoting organic coffee production practices among smallholder’s farmers should focus on enhancement of farmer-awareness, provision of training and technical advice on organic farming practices. This can be achieved through agricultural extension services and developing information networks among farmers. Also, the government should strive to improve extension services through field visit and strive to stabilize coffee markets.

Organic and bio-fertilizer inputs in coffee production system, coffee cultivation constraints and the role of coffee in coffee cultivation sectors: A review

Coffea arabica L. is the most traded commodity and the principal source of revenue for coffee cultivation sectors in Ethiopia and its market has been growing from time to time. With the demand changing, use and consumption of natural products has been growing, so there has been greater interest in research in this area. Added to this interest, is the concern of environmental impact caused by chemical inputs. Soil fertility management strategies for improving plant nutrients and crop productivity include the use of application of composts, vermicomposts and manures, and application of bio fertilizer or microbial inoculants. Bio-fertilizer technologies can contribute to efficient utilization of limited resource of phosphorus fertilizers under low-input farming systems and guarantee the environment for livelihood. Therefore, they are a good alternative for the so called perennial field crop production organically; because in addition to their numerous activities, they have low cost, and are sustainable, safe and effective. The application of efficient phosphate-solubilizing microbial inoculants in agriculture opens up new insight for future crop productivity besides sustaining soil health. The purpose of this review is to raise potential applications of organic and bio-fertilizer inputs in coffee production system to sustain organic coffee cultivation and to elucidate the main obstacles for yield reduction in the coffee production sectors. In this regard this review has also shown that phosphate-solubilizing microbes (PSMs) have tremendous potential as bio-fertilizers. This review also contains information on coffee consumption custom in Ethiopia and its role in cultural systems. Finally, this review focuses on relevant research performed and success in using bio-inoculants during the last decade that can help us improve sustainable coffee production.

How does Implementation Drive Actual Buying Behavior of Organic Coffee?

Environmental issues have become a global problem, making people more aware of environmentally friendly aspects of their daily lives. MSME coffee in Garut Regency is one of the subjects contributing to protecting environmental sustainability by promoting green marketing. However, the Indonesian people's views toward green products considered expensive are many factors that consumers choose non-green products. It means there is a gap between attitudes and behavior, which shows that consumers' positive attitudes towards products are not necessarily actualized in buying. The current research is aimed at analyzing the influence of the condition of the consumer's social environment on actual buying behavior through the implementation of coffee products among millennials in the Garut Regency. The results showed that the condition of the consumer's social environment influences actual buying behavior through implementation intention on coffee products among millennials in Garut Regency directly and indirectly.

Differentiation strategies in coffee farms: opportunities for Costa Rican growers

AbstractThis study investigates the determinants of coffee prices received by growers in Costa Rica, paying attention to the impact of environmental, regional, quality, and international aspects in a panel data set for the period 2008–2016. We identify three groups of variables that affect domestic coffee prices. Some of them are external to the control of the coffee growers, such as the international price of green coffee or the power of multinationals; others, such as the altitude where the coffee is harvested or the berries' yield, are related to coffee quality but difficult to modify by coffee growers. The focus of our study is on the third group, which refers to differentiation strategies related to environmental certifications. More specifically, we consider two particularly relevant certifications, which are Fairtrade mills and organic coffee. We find that organic coffee berries received higher prices, but Fairtrade mills report lower average prices than other, non-certified, buyers.

Integrating effects of neighbor interactions for pollination and abiotic resources on coffee yield in a multi‐strata agroforest

AbstractAnimal‐pollinated plants interact with neighbors for both abiotic resources and pollination, with consequences for reproduction and yield. Yet few studies have compared the relative magnitude of these effects, particularly in agroecosystems. In vertically stratified communities, such as agroforests, neighbor effects may be stratum‐dependent. Understanding the net effects of neighbors on crop yield is important for managing multifunctional agroecosystems to simultaneously support production and biodiversity. This study evaluated the effects of neighboring plants on pollen deposition, fertilization, and yield in Coffea arabica in a shaded organic coffee farm with high non‐crop plant abundance and diversity in Chiapas, Mexico. We assessed the impact of (1) floral resources at three vertical strata (herbs, coffee bushes, and canopy trees) on stigma pollen load (a measure of interaction for pollination), and (2) floral density and canopy cover (proxies for competition for abiotic resources) on yield (final fruit set and per‐fruit weight), using structural equation modeling to evaluate the relative effect of each interaction type. Coffee competed for pollination with neighbors (conspecifics and heterospecifics) across strata. Pollen load influenced final fruit set, but the effect of neighbor competition for pollination was weaker than effects mediated by interactions for abiotic resources. Effects of interactions for abiotic resources were heterogeneous across strata, with negligible effects of herb‐layer or coffee flower density but net positive effects of canopy trees on final fruit set. Overall effects of neighbors on coffee yield were weak, suggesting that coffee agroecosystems can be managed to maintain high plant density and diversity without sacrificing yield.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

From the ground up: Patterns and perceptions of herbaceous diversity in organic coffee agroecosystems

Abstract Smallholder farms that transition to organic and biodiverse production are increasingly recognized as strongholds of agrobiodiversity, with emerging work identifying important outcomes such as enhancing crop portfolios, mitigating extreme climate events and contributing to farmer well‐being. Yet the emergent herbaceous communities in these organic systems remain understudied, with the functional diversity and management of this stratum relatively unknown. This study identifies the taxonomic and functional diversity of the herbaceous community in organic coffee agroforestry systems, and describes the extent of this diversity with farm, and farmer, attributes. We measured leaf‐level functional traits (e.g. specific leaf area) of the herbaceous community to derive functional diversity indices and collected localized environmental conditions on 15 organic coffee farms in Central Valley, Costa Rica. We also conducted semi‐structured interviews with nine farmers to construct mental models on herbaceous community management using a cognitive mapping approach. In total, 38 species from 20 taxonomic families were present in these organic coffee systems. The herbaceous communities were functionally diverse; however, functional evenness increased with canopy openness, suggesting that farms adopting agroforestry tend to have a more functionally diverse herbaceous stratum. Farmer perception of plant traits in the herbaceous community was differentiated into competitive (weeds) or neutral/positive effects. These perceptions aligned with well‐established functional trait trade‐offs. The mental models representing farmer decision‐making processes were highly variable, with a nearly 30% increase in cognitive map density from the simplest map to the most complex; this complexity in mental models was a key explanatory variable in the level of functional diversity of the herbaceous community. Organic management practices that support agroforestry practices also, in turn, promote a functionally diverse herbaceous stratum. We show that functional trait syndromes in these herbaceous communities in agroforestry systems are linked with farmer perceptions of traits, and that highly interconnected farm decision‐making is related to greater functional diversity in the herbaceous community. Understanding pathways of farmer decision‐making on managing this herbaceous community can appropriately situate on‐farm practice and policy for the transition to organic production, and inform emerging agri‐environmental programs.

Oxidative stability of chicken burgers using organic coffee husk extract

The antioxidant capacity of organic coffee husk extract (Coffee arabica L.) added to chicken burgers was evaluated. Two formulations were prepared: with addition of the extract (100 and 200 ppm CAE/kg), in addition to control formulations without the addition of antioxidant, and with the addition of synthetic antioxidant. The products were characterized by physical and chemical analysis and analyzed for oxidative stability during 45 days of storage under freezing. The addition of extract in the proportion of 200 ppm CAE/kg of hamburger revealed efficacy against lipid oxidation equivalent to treatment with a synthetic antioxidant. As for protein oxidation, there was no pro or antioxidant influence in the treatments. The addition of organic coffee husk extract to chicken hamburgers is thus indicated, being considered as a potential natural additive. In addition, the use of coffee husks helps to minimize the lager amounts of agro-industrial by-products generated by the coffee industry.

UV spectral analysis coupled with PCA-LDA to classify organic and conventional Lampung robusta coffee from different origins

This current research presents a simple analytical method for classifying organic and conventional coffee samples from different origins. UV pre-processed spectral data in the range of 250-400 nm was used to discriminate between organic Lampung robusta coffee from Lampung Barat (n=50) and two conventional Lampung robusta coffees from Lampung Barat (n=50) and Tanggamus (n=50). Ground roasted coffee samples with 50 mesh were used for samples. UV-vis spectrometer was utilized to acquire UV spectral data from an aqueous coffee sample. A chemometric method based on PCA and PCA-LDA algorithm was used to classify the samples. The PCA result shows all organic coffee samples were clustered on the negative of PC1 while all conventional coffee samples were on the positive of PC1. The conventional coffee samples from Lampung Barat and Tanggamus were grouped in different clusters according to their origin. The PCA-LDA resulted in a 100% accuracy in classification both for calibration and prediction. This method is a promising approach for organic Lampung robusta authentication with a relatively low-cost spectrometer and simple sample preparation.

Soil Quality Indicators under Conventional and Organic Coffee Farming Systems in Rwanda

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the soil quality under conventional and organic coffee farming Systems
 Study Design: Two farming systems were selected: Conventional and Organic systems under coffee plantations.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out between May 2021 and March 2022. The soil samples were collected from Karaba coffee growers’ cooperative (KOAKAKA) within Karambi coffee washing station zone in Kigoma Sector of Huye District, Southern Province of Rwanda. The soil samples were analyzed in Research and postgraduate laboratory of soil and plant at University of Rwanda Biotechnology Laboratory Complex.
 Methodology: The soil samples were collected across three selected plots from each coffee production system under study. Both disturbed and non-disturbed soil samples were collected from each plot at (0–30 cm) depth to assess selected soil quality indicators.
 Results: This study found a significant difference in total organic carbon, organic matter and earthworms abundance between two studied systems. The findings also revealed higher aggregate stability, electrical conductivity, moisture content, soil pH water in the organic coffee farming system than conventional coffee farming system with 0.665, 0.051 (dS/m), 23.84 (%), 5.47 respectively.
 Conclusion: Organic farming system provided higher soil qualities, it could improve soil conditions and reduce the demand for inorganic fertilizers hence improve people’s livelihood.

Discrimination of several robusta organic coffees from Sumatra Indonesia with different origins using UV spectroscopy and principal component analysis

Comparing to non-organic coffee, organically grown coffee has been regarded to be healthier at a more expensive price. Recently, in Sumatra, Robusta organic coffee is becoming more popular. However, it is difficult to assess the origin of organic ground roasted coffee resulting in frequent mislabeling incidence in the market. In this research, an effort to discriminate Robusta organic coffee from different origins was evaluated using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA). A total of fifty samples of ground-roasted organic coffee from two origins in Sumatra Indonesia (Lampung and Bengkulu) was used. The samples were extracted using hot distilled water, filtered, and diluted with distilled water (1:70 volume/volume). UV spectra were measured in the range of 220-400 nm with 1 nm of the resolution using a benchtop UV-Vis spectrometer. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied for original and preprocessed spectral data in the range of 220-400 nm. Using the first and the second principal components (PC1 and PC2) using preprocessed spectra resulted in a distinct cluster between Lampung and Bengkulu organic coffee samples. This result showed the effectiveness of PCA in differentiating between the organic Robusta coffee from different origins (Lampung and Bengkulu).

Analysis verbal sensory methods in the evaluation of organic coffee with different roasting intensities

ABSTRACT A sensory diagnostic of organic coffee from Otomí-Tepehua zone of Hidalgo state was carried out, which were subjected to 4 types of roasting: Medium roasting, Intense roasting, Very Intense roasting, and Artisanal roasting using a mud “comal.” Also, a Blend was made (Medium, Intense, and Very Intense toasted coffee in 1:1:1 ratio). Sensory analysis was made using the verbal methods Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) and Flash profile. It was used 44 sensory attributes in CATA method, from which 10 had significant differences (p > .05). Flash profile method grouped the coffee samples according to their descriptor similarity mentioned by the consumers, and a nine-point hedonic test was also carried out. Both methods described all the coffee samples with similar sensory profiles, the results suggested that the Blend made a sensory profile similar to Artisanal roasting coffee. Nevertheless, the consumers differed in preference due to the intensity of the attributes was different of coffee roasting.

The Effect of Sustainable Supply Chain Management on the Performance of Certified Organic Coffee at Malang Regency

This study aims to analyze the effect of sustainable supply chain management on the performance of organic Robusta coffee in the Farmers Group, Amadanom Village, Malang Regency. The impact of sustainable supply chain management in this study is identified from the supplier, manufacture, and consumer variables. Supply chain performance is known through economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The approach used in this research is quantitative. The data was collected from 50 respondents. These respondents are all elements of Farmer Group's sustainable supply chain. Sampling was done by census and snowball sampling. The research used the Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) method to analyze. This study showed that the supplier does not significantly affect economic performance but has a positive and significant impact on environmental performance and social performance. The manufacturing variable has a positive and significant effect on financial and social performance but does not substantially impact environmental performance. Consumers in a sustainable supply chain have a positive and significant effect on economic performance, environmental performance, and social performance.

Determination of bacteria morphotypes associated with the rhizosphere of organic coffee plantations

Objective: To determine the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in coffee plantations in Oaxaca, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Soil samples collected from organic arabian coffee plantations in the Loxicha region of Oaxaca were analyzed to isolate and characterize bacterial populations associated with the rhizosphere of those plantations. Samples were collected from six sites in three altitude ranges (two sampling sites per each range): low (≥1,200, ≤1,400 masl), medium (≥1,700, ≤1,800 masl), and high (≥1,900 masl). Tukey’s test was used to compare the bacteria population distribution per altitude range. A multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) was performed considering four morphological —shape, surface, border, and color— and two microscopic —type and Gram— characteristics of the colonies. Results: Forty-three bacterial colonies were isolated and purified; their population distribution showed a significant difference (Tukey α = 0.5) with respect to the altitude range in which they were collected. The Principal Components Analysis showed that the first three principal components accounted for 74.19% of the total variation of the 43 bacterial colonies, indicating that the evaluated characteristics were widely distributed. The Hierarchical Cluster Analysis determined eight groups and divided them into subgroups, based on the semi partial correlation coefficient (0.05). Study limitations/implications: The environmental conditions where bacteria grow allow changes in the interspecific variation of each species. Findings/conclusions: The morphological and microscopic characterization of the bacterial colonies shows a high variability that is expressed in characteristics, indicating a high diversity of bacterial species in organically-managed coffee soils in Oaxaca

Effect of dominant shade tree species on selected soil physicochemical properties and coffee production in Sayyo district, western Ethiopia

The current study aimed to assess the preference of farmers and their perception of shade tree species on coffee production and to evaluate selected soil physicochemical properties under the canopies of Acacia abyssinica and Albizia gummifera shade tree species and the influence of these trees on coffee production in comparison with unshaded fields. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents for this study. Four circular plots having 3, 5, and 7 m radius and 17 m were laid out to sample soil and coffee parameters. The top six ranked tree species preferred by farmers were, Acacia abyssinica Albizia gummifera, Croton macrostachyus, Cordia Africana, Millettia ferruginea, and Erythrina abyssinica. The soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, exchangeable potassium, and soil pH were higher underneath shade trees than in open areas. Soils tested under shade trees and in open areas were texturally similar, (sandy clay loam). This pattern of textural similarity indicated that they have been derived from the same parent material. There was greater coffee yield, coffee weight, and coffee shrub density under the tree canopy than in open fields. Generally, Coffee production parameters and coffee yield under the canopies of both shade tree species and selected soil physicochemical properties showed relatively higher than those of unshaded zones. Therefore, integrating Acacia abyssinica and Albizia gummifera shade trees in coffee production systems is very important in maintaining soil fertility and thereby increasing the yield of organic coffee.

Sustainability evaluation of organic coffee production system in the Brazilian Cerrado region

Sustainability evaluation of organic coffee production system in the Brazilian Cerrado region

KESIAPAN PETANI MENGIKUTI SERTIFIKASI KOPI ORGANIK DI KABUPATEN LAMPUNG BARAT

This study aims to analyze the readiness of farmers, their income, and marketing of certified organic coffee in West Lampung Regency. This research conducted in Sindang Pagar Village, Sumber Jaya Sub-District, Mutar Alam Village and Tambak Jaya Village, Way Tenong Sub-District, West Lampung Regency. The samples of this research were all farmers participating in the organic coffee certification program, 35 farmers totally. Qualitative descriptive analysis used to analyze the readiness of farmers in participating the certification program, quantitative descriptive analysis used to calculate farm income, marketing channels, and marketing margins. The results showed that the farmers were not ready to take part in the organic certification program because there were still unfulfilled indicators. Organic coffee farming income is IDR3,741,918 per ha with an R/C value of 1.74. Coffee marketing in this research area has 3 marketing channels. In marketing channel I farmers sell their coffee to coffee processors, in marketing channel II farmers sell to wholesalers then to exporters, in marketing channel III coffee farmers sell to collectors, then to wholesalers, and finally to exporters. The selling price in the first channel is more profitable for farmers than the second and third channels. Marketing carried out by farmers participating in the certification, namely 18% is sold at the price of organic coffee, and the remaining 82% sold underpriced. In the second and third channels, farmers do not get a premium fee for marketing the coffee products they produce during the certification process.Key words: coffee, certification, farmers, organic.

No evidence of foliar disease impact on crop root functional strategies and soil microbial communities: what does this mean for organic coffee?

Global climate change is increasing pest and pathogen pressures on plant communities, deteriorating optimal plant functioning. In plant communities, root functional trait expression and microbial communities are important indicators of plant functioning belowground, and, when confronted with pathogens aboveground, can simultaneously reflect plant defence strategies. Yet, while research is continuing to emerge on the response of root functional traits and microbial processes to pathogens aboveground, little work has investigated these interactions in tree‐crops, or the role organic amendments play in moderating these relationships. The main objective of this study is to disentangle the dynamic effects of pathogens and amendments on root functional traits (i.e. specific root length and area, root diameter, root length density, root nitrogen and root carbon to nitrogen ratio) and root endophytic fungal communities. As a model, we use Coffea arabica (coffee) variety Caturra along a gradient of coffee leaf rust – a foliar disease prominent in coffee systems – under contrasting but widespread amendment regimes in biodiverse agroforestry systems. We found that root trait expression varies along established conservation and collaboration gradients, where fungal endophyte community composition varies significantly as a function of root traits. Belowground resource acquisition strategies do not change with foliar disease incidence, suggesting they may be decoupled. Rather, amendment regimes differentially shape root trait expression and microbial communities, where coffee plants under organic amendments, regardless of foliar disease incidence, expressed greater acquisitive traits and enhanced collaboration with symbiotic fungi. This is an important first step in disentangling the dynamic inter‐relationships between plant traits, endophytes and pathogens, generating new questions on the role of amendments in sustainable pathogen management in biodiverse agroecosystems.

Changes over Time Matter: A Cycle of Participatory Sustainability Assessment of Organic Coffee in Chiapas, Mexico

This paper discusses how to incorporate the changes within an agroecosystem into sustainability assessment. We measured the sustainability of 86 organic coffee producers located in 4 municipalities of Sierra Madre of Chiapas, Mexico. Based on the MESMIS framework, a set of indicators was selected. A sustainability index was constructed using the multi-criteria decision method known as the analytical hierarchy process in a broad participatory process with producers and cooperatives. Likewise, classification of producers was carried out through land use transitions in their lands between 1999 and 2019 using satellite imagery. A variance analysis between classes was performed to identify statistical differences. The results show that producers who expand their coffee plantations into forested areas have more sustainability levels than those producers who convert agricultural activities into coffee plantations and producers with both transitions in coffee expansion-conversion. The indicators of labor efficiency, benefit-to-cost ratio, price, remnant of primary vegetation, recovery of production from natural phenomena, family succession, and producer land area showed statistical differences between classes. These results are relevant because sustainability assessment is an action-oriented method. Therefore, the contribution of this study can help guide recommendations for specific groups of producers.

Examining the influential factors of consumer purchase intentions for blockchain traceable coffee using the theory of planned behaviour

PurposeGiven the increasing industry interest in blockchain technologies for supply chain management and product traceability, this paper aims to investigate consumer purchasing intentions for blockchain traceable coffee and their psychosocial antecedents, utilising an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire study of 123 participants was deployed, using two traceability systems (one based on blockchain and one on a more established traceability certification) for organic coffee.FindingsAdding variables such as environmental protections, trust and habits significantly increased the predictive power of TPB. The results suggest that attitude, perceived behavioural control and environmental protections drive intentions to purchase blockchain traceable coffee.Research limitations/implicationsApart from establishing the factors affecting consumer intentions for blockchain traceable coffee, this study validates the TPB as a model of explaining coffee purchasing intentions and provides evidence of new variables that can significantly increase the model's predictive power.Practical implicationsThe proposed format of presenting traceability information along with the significant variables revealed in our study can function as a guide for designing product features and marketing strategies for blockchain traceable organic coffee. Increasing consumer awareness on product traceability will also play a crucial role in the success of these products.Originality/valueThis study is the first to explore consumer purchasing intentions for blockchain traceable coffee and establish the psychosocial variables behind them contributing, in that way, to an understudied area in academic literature as well as providing insights for a more consumer-centric design of such products.

Organic coffee growing as a competitive strategy for Mexico in international trade

Organic coffee growing has positioned itself as a competitive strategic activity in Mexican territory, representing a considerable income alternative for small national producers. However, in recent years despite this context, the country has lost positions, an issue analysed from the use of the method of analysis of Constant Market Share, which symbolises a statistical technique that helps to break down the growth of exports, and thus to study their behaviour, which finally allowed to estimate the index to measure the comparative advantages revealed for agricultural products. The results suggest at a general level that there is an increase in the world demand for organic coffee, which has benefited certain countries, together with the concentration of Mexican coffee exports in the markets that have grown most rapidly. Key words: Organic coffee farming; competitiveness, Mexico.