The importance of coffee cultivation

THE INTERNATIONAL Coffee Organization has rated coffee as the second most-traded commodity after oil, worldwide. With the strong emerging coffee culture that has emerged over the last few years the industry has proven itself to be a lucrative one.

While there may be questions as to whether or not the lucrative earnings are getting to the primary producers – the farmers – there is no question that the large franchise holders are feeling the effects of growing coffee consumption, which by extension has led to increasing demand for coffee beans.

Notwithstanding the above scenario, coffee cultivation provides employment and is an important socio-economic support for many rural areas. This direct impact on the lives of rural farm families is not the only benefits being derived the this important gross domestic product contributor.

Coffee cultivation helps to reduce soil erosion, in particular on those steep slopes where the crop is often found cultivated. Especially where the crop is cultivated under shade, it is found to be a useful carbon sink, thus contributing to the removal of carbon dioxide and hence reducing the effects of that substance on global warming. Coffee cultivation also aids in good watershed management, thus the practice aids in replenishing the underground water basins.

Coffee cultivation also helps in the maintenance of a high degree of biodiversity, especially in agro-forestry systems with mixed crops on small family properties. It has also been recorded by the Smithsonian Institute and other research institutions that coffee cultivation can provide a good habitat for many migrant birds and other wildlife.

After processing, there are a number of benefits that can be derived from ‘supposedly’ waste materials. The pulp or skin, for example, is a useful material when allowed to be incorporated into any decomposition process to provide organic manure. Local studies have shown that the said material has the potential for producing an alcoholic beverage, a process that is worthy of further studies.

Upon the removal of the parchment skin from the green bean, this material is a good source of energy and is constantly used by coffee processors in the mechanical coffee-drying process with good results. The said parchment skin has been used in broiler houses as material for the absorption of chicken waste, which later becomes organic material.

Given those observation, it is of importance that meaningful understanding be attained by all stakeholders to ensure that there are no negative implications that may impact the cultivation process, which may demotivate farmers and their ability to contribute to better way of life.