How does productivity impact coffee farmers’ profits?
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In research from the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, coffee productivity of some countries has increased significantly from 1990 to 2019. In particular, the increase in Vietnam is more than 100%, in Brazil it is 30%. However, many farmers in coffee producing countries today still have to struggle because their income is not enough to live and the resources to develop their farms. So what impact does productivity have on coffee farmers’ profits? Let’s find out with 43 Factory Coffee Roaster!
Coffee productivity directly affects the increase or decrease in profits
Sebastião Brinate is an agronomist engineer at LSW Consultoria, Brazil. Yield and profit are closely related to the economic viability of coffee production. In particular, profitability is directly related to coffee tree productivity. The higher the farm’s productivity, the lower the production cost per bag of coffee, leading to higher profits for the farmer. On the contrary, low productivity means reduced output. If the decline in productivity persists and spreads on a large scale, it could affect world supply and the balance of coffee supply and demand. The sharp decline in global output also causes fluctuations in coffee prices, causing heavy losses to farmers.
Current coffee productivity levels affect sustainability in the chain
The latest survey results of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – FAO estimate that there are currently about 10.5 million hectares of land in the world being used for coffee production, and the average global output is 16 million hectares. bag/ha. According to João Moraes – Director of crop nutrition company Yara, it is difficult for small-scale farmers to develop sustainably with this level of productivity. Even when coffee is purchased at the price of specialty coffee, the income farmers earn is not enough to make a living. Because this productivity level is too low. The cost per bag of coffee is pushed up. The amount received is not enough to compensate for losses in production costs. Farmers do not have enough income to support themselves, their families, and invest in their farms. In addition, as coffee trees age, yields will be lower, causing an imbalance in supply and demand in the coffee supply chain. Reduced output also leads to reduced income, causing farmers to give up growing coffee, affecting the sustainable development of the industry.
How to increase coffee yields sustainably
Farmers need to be supported with high productivity measures to reduce costs per coffee growing area. From there, the farm earns more profits, ensuring a stable livelihood and sustainable production for the industry. Increasing the productivity of coffee plants can be based on adjusting a number of factors such as the potential of the cultivar, the production environment (soil, rainfall, altitude, latitude, shade, etc.), farming method. However, overusing techniques or chemicals to increase productivity will cause negative impacts on climate change and disrupt ecological balance. Therefore, to sustainably increase coffee productivity, farmers need to pay attention to selecting varieties, managing soil and combining appropriate farming methods, limiting impacts on the environment such as:
– Choose varieties suitable for each growing region to save most production costs and cultivation effort.
– Increase soil fertility with natural products, plant cover crops to protect the soil from direct sunlight and increase coffee productivity.
– Manage pests and diseases by paying attention to plant health and nutrition to increase pest resistance. In addition, farmers should regularly monitor the growing area, clear land, and raise beneficial insects and animals to prevent pests.
– Combine reasonable farming methods such as adjusting planting density appropriately, choosing appropriate harvesting methods, choosing a planting area with all the favorable factors for plant growth, and regular pruning and uprooting to help the tree recover after harvest.
Improving productivity on coffee farms is not easy. In particular, increasing productivity in a sustainable way without affecting the natural environment is even more difficult. Farmers can apply farming methods that are in harmony with nature, but the natural increase in output will still not be comparable to measures such as using stimulants. Furthermore, coffee grown using sustainable methods requires more effort and will also cost more. To achieve comprehensive sustainability, coffee production needs support and support from all levels of industry and consumers. So, let’s use sustainably grown specialty coffee beans from XLIII Coffee – The brand developed from the predecessor 43 Factory Coffee Roaster!
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