How do coffee farmers save water in production?

Coffee is one of the crops with the largest water footprint (a measure of freshwater consumption and pollution) compared to other crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, sugarcane and cotton. According to Water Footprint Network data, to produce one kilogram of coffee, about 18,900 liters of water are needed, of which 95% is water for watering plants, 4% is preliminary water and 1% is roasted and ground water. This is a very large number compared to other crops, such as rice (1,400 liters/kg), corn (900 liters/kg) or potatoes (290 liters/kg).

In addition, experts from the CGIAR Research program say that the long-term sustainability of coffee production is seriously threatened by the depletion of groundwater resources. Many producers in some areas are building wells to supplement or replace traditional shallow wells that are easily depleted. This has high costs and risks, due to the variable depth and yield of basalt aquifers. In addition, Dr. CT Hoanh from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) said, the level of groundwater extraction is reaching the limit, so it is necessary to improve the use of water in agriculture to achieve sustainable management. sustainability of the entire industry.

Many coffee-growing regions in the world such as East Africa, Latin America, and Asia are facing drought, water shortages and reduced yields. This not only affects the income of farmers, but also threatens the sustainability of the coffee industry in the future. Therefore, many experts have delved into research and come up with a number of measures to help farmers effectively manage and save water in the coffee growing stages and ensure the maintenance of productivity and quality, such as:

– Before starting to build a farm, farmers need to research and carefully choose the location to grow coffee. Places with hard, sloping, flood-prone soil should be avoided and preferable sites with soft, well-drained soil and natural vegetation to save watering and protect soil from erosion.

Besides choosing the ideal planting area, farmers need to pay attention to maintaining the fertility of the soil. Nutrient-rich soil will help coffee plants absorb water and oxygen better, thereby minimizing the amount of water needed and increasing quality and yield. However, do not fertilize too much as this will stimulate the coffee plant to consume more water.

– Planting cover crops around the coffee growing area, intercropping to take advantage of the natural harmony. Cover crops will reduce solar radiation, lower temperatures, and increase soil moisture to help plants retain water longer.

– Plant coffee in horizontal rows along the incline to slow the flow of groundwater and help prevent erosion.

–  Use a ground cover such as straw, hay or shrubs, to protect the soil from evaporation and excessive drainage. This mulch also improves soil structure and adds organic matter to the soil, improving soil nutrition after flooding in the rainy season or aridity in the dry season.

– Regularly inspect the farm for signs of hydraulic stress, such as wilting leaves at the hottest part of the day during the dry season, to replenish water in a timely manner. A prolonged lack of water can hinder the growth of sugars in cherries, making the tree more susceptible to disease.

– Monitor relevant data such as humidity, temperature, precipitation,…. Marcelo – The director at Ecoagrícola recommends checking with local experts about groundwater levels in your area, as well as Daily climate indicators to plan the correct watering, avoid wasting water.

– Invest in irrigation technology such as drip irrigation, mist irrigation or automatic pipe irrigation to closely control the volume of water used and increase irrigation efficiency.

By implementing the above solutions, coffee production can reduce dependence on water sources and contribute to environmental protection. This is essential to ensure the sustainability of the coffee industry amid growing challenges. However, fully solving this problem, it requires cooperation between stakeholders, including government, businesses, NGOs, farmers and consumers. Let’s explore with XLIII Coffee through the next articles!

Source: perfectdailygrind

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