How do coffee farmers respond to erratic weather changes?

Many farmers said that in the past few years, they have often encountered unexpected weather conditions at all times of planting and production. Disturbance between rain and sunshine seriously affects farm performance. Sudden rains at the wrong time cause the fruit to absorb moisture, become heavier, and more likely to fall before harvest. Output at the end of the season may decrease, forcing them to charge higher prices otherwise they will suffer heavy losses when calculated at market prices. Furthermore, after harvesting, coffee cherries drying in the yard are at risk of being infected with fermentation fungi due to sudden rain or temperature changes.

Additionally, if the weather changes from rainy to dry, the farm will be at increased risk of encountering pests. High temperatures combined with low soil moisture can cause severe water stress for plants. During the flowering stage of coffee, this can lead to greatly reduced fruit set rates and lower overall yields. Similarly, if this condition occurs during fruit development, it can affect weight gain and product quality, resulting in smaller fruit with a lower market value.

In addition to high temperatures and lack of water, coffee is also at risk of damage from other weather phenomena such as hail. It can cause serious damage to crops such as leaf and fruit loss, and spread pests faster between regions.

Unpredictable weather can cause serious damage to coffee farmers

The world is suffering from the effects of climate change, so unexpected things are always possible. Farmers and producers have actively sought production techniques to minimize the risk of reduced coffee quality.

Plan for weather-changing conditions

Experts note that coffee-growing areas should be built on highlands to avoid the risk of water stagnation, root rot, and fungal infection during heavy rains. Farmers should consider planting large trees around coffee to act as windbreaks, protect the coffee during storms, and also combat the spread of rust. Additionally, growers should monitor the weather by regularly checking online or watching weather forecasts on TV. This helps farmers prepare better. However, forecasts may not be accurate. Therefore, farmers need to prepare appropriate tools and materials such as harvest cloth and tarpaulin to cover coffee, disinfectants, etc. to cope with unexpected changes.

Farmers need to plan for changing weather conditions

Handling when encountering heavy rainfall

Continuous rain, storms, and floods may occur and last longer than expected. In this case, the growing area may accumulate a lot of water, causing root rot and putting the plant at risk of fungus and bacteria. Experts advise that, if it is unusually wet, check around the planting area, and tree base and create irrigation channels if necessary. In particular, if it rains during harvest, the fruit is at risk of swelling and falling to the ground. Therefore, farmers need to monitor the forecast and try to get ahead of any heavy rains with harvesters. For the post-harvest period, farmers can build a drying yard on a slope. This way, if it rains unexpectedly, at least the coffee won’t be soaked in water. A retractable roof or awning is a good way to minimize exposure to rain. In addition, farmers can move the planting location if the impact is too severe.

Farmers need to be prepared for sudden rains during the harvest season

Dealing with drought

Besides rainfall, drought is also a weather factor that can occur and negatively impact coffee-growing areas. Drought can cause farms to lose moisture, leading to trees not producing fruit. If the dry period lasts too long after flowering, the plant will drop its buds, leading to crop failure. In this case, an irrigation system is an effective way to ensure all plants receive enough water. Combining drip irrigation systems for coffee plants can achieve high productivity and sustainability while optimizing water and energy sources.

Gradually, it is necessary to ensure a good irrigation system to prevent prolonged drought

As we navigate the challenges of climate change, let’s stand together with coffee farmers. Choose sustainable specialty coffee options and join XLIII Coffee on the journey to support a resilient and thriving coffee industry!

Articles you may be interested in:

– PhilCAFE Project – The first step for the development of the Philippine coffee industry

– Coffee price today domestically and internationally

– Da Nang roasted coffee beans retain their original characteristics