The unpredictable dangers of climate change to coffee trees

Coffee is a demanding crop that requires suitable climatic, soil and environmental conditions. According to a new NOAA study, Arabica coffee is very sensitive to climate. Average annual temperatures higher than 73 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce the yield and quality of plants. In particular, when the ambient temperature is higher than 86 degrees F, coffee plants can be stunted, susceptible to disease and exhausted.

Therefore, when climate change occurs on a large scale, coffee trees cannot grow as usual. Some coffee plantations become arid due to lack of rain, high temperature and low humidity, causing coffee plants to be stressed, photosynthesis is impaired and the growth cycle is shortened. Plants do not have enough time to metabolize nutrients, resulting in small fruits, low seed density, and inherent flavor quality. Some other regions have more rain, creating conditions for coffee trees to flower and pick many times a year, but also increasing labor costs for farmers. In addition, climate change entails erratic, seemingly unpredictable weather. It is difficult for farmers to control the maturation time, harvesting coffee causes heavy losses in output as well as quality.

Climate change is responsible for the rapid spread of rust. This is a fungal disease that infects the leaves of the Arabica coffee tree, causing the leaves to turn yellow, fall off and lead to the death of the plant. This disease is considered one of the biggest threats to the world coffee industry, as it can cause severe damage to the yield and quality of coffee beans. Foliar rust is most prevalent in warm, humid conditions, so climate change is a major factor in its widespread spread.

Not only rust disease, climate change is also one of the main causes leading to the development and spread of pests and diseases that damage coffee trees. According to studies by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) and the World Bank (WB), many new pest problems have emerged and caused heavy losses to agricultural production. diseases such as yellow dwarf disease, leaf curl, black-striped dwarf, brown planthopper, coffee leafworm… In addition, unusual weather such as unseasonal rain, severe cold, harmful cold, and hot sun also cause difficulties. for pest management and control. Therefore, dealing with pests in the future will be more complicated and expensive.

Agroforestry is an effective farming method that helps producers cope with the unpredictable changes of global warming or pest infestation. Because farming practices in agroforestry not only help prevent the invasion of pests but also protect biodiversity and natural resources. In addition, it can also reduce the impact of climate change by creating buffer zones. However, the downside of this approach is that productivity can be reduced. Therefore, the adaptation of farmers to agroforestry will depend on the conditions of each country and market. For example, agroforestry may be more suitable for countries like Panama, where premium coffee quality is emphasized, than for mass coffee-producing countries like Brazil. so the solution is not only at the global level but also at the local level.

In addition, farmers can choose coffee varieties suitable to the climate and soil conditions of each region. Disease-resistant, drought-resistant and high-yielding coffee varieties can help reduce risks and increase economic returns for farmers. Apply effective water management measures, such as economical irrigation, rainwater collection, wastewater reuse and water protection. Providing enough water for coffee plants can improve the growth, tolerance and quality of coffee beans. Use organic farming methods, such as composting, intercropping, and the use of disease and pest control organisms, to reduce reliance on toxic chemicals, reduce environmental pollution, and increase adaptation of coffee plants. Join sustainability certification programs, such as UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and Organic, for technical, financial and marketing support for coffee products. These programs also promote environmentally and socially friendly farming principles that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the coffee industry worldwide. Farmers who are straining, investing in sustainable farming methods to cope with tough problems from high temperatures, droughts, floods and pests must ensure stable yields and quality of coffee. So let’s join XLIII Coffee in using sustainable coffee products to support farmers!

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