A Wake Up Call for the Future of Coffee
by Aliisa Oake
Trail in coffee farm in the Antigua coffee growing region of Guatemala
The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee is a daily ritual for millions of people but beneath this simple pleasure, a problem is unfolding for the future of coffee.
The lush slopes of mountains, misty highlands, and agricultural landscapes of coffee fields that have been nurtured for centuries are facing disruptions. Once-reliable growing seasons are beginning to shift and become unpredictable, with erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures threatening both the quality of coffee beans and harvest levels.
Environmental challenges are beginning to rise, creating an even bigger challenge for small-scale coffee producers who make up a majority of the global coffee industry, bringing about economic hardship, shrinking yields, and creating an uncertain future.
The Significance of Coffee to Guatemala
In Guatemala coffee has been grown since the 1850s - fueling economies, shaping cultures, and sustaining ecosystems. Today, it remains the second-most important agricultural export, being a crucial driver of employment for many citizens, many of whom are small-scale farmers.
Guatemala is located in the coffee belt, otherwise known as The Bean Belt, which spans from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, home to all the major coffee growing regions of the world. Guatemala’s coffee farms are grown within some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in Central America. Shade-grown coffee plantations are present throughout the country, which contributes to the conservation of coffee plants, as well as the biodiversity of other plants and maintaining habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Coffee planted within the trees in the San Marcos coffee growing region
Beyond its economic and environmental importance, coffee cultivation holds cultural significance with traditional farming methods and original land being passed down through generations. In 2018, Guatemala coffee production was named “An Intangible Heritage of the Guatemalan Nation”. Coffee has a large influence on local traditions, bringing together communities on many levels - whether being strengthened during la cosecha, or harvest season, or simply sharing a meaningful conversation over a cup of coffee.
Environmental Challenges Threatening Coffee Cultivation
Due to environmental challenges, it is currently estimated that by 2050, nearly half of the land used to grow coffee could become unusable due to climate change impacts. Guatemala coffee is known for its high altitude and shade-grown coffee, and is reliant on stable weather patterns, nutrient-rich volcanic soil, and diverse ecosystems. Coffee plants thrive in cool, stable environments, meaning a disruption to these growing conditions could put the livelihoods of these plants at risk. As temperatures rise, coffee is more likely to be exposed to unstable growing conditions, creating a risk. With this concern, coffee producers may be forced to move to higher elevations in search of more suitable growing conditions, however, relocating is costly and impractical since there is a limited availability on suitable land in mountainous regions.
With climate hazards increasing, a growing sense of uncertainty has become present among coffee producers, especially with the rise of prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall becoming major concerns. Excessive wind and rain increases the risk of fungal diseases, such as coffee leaf rust (roya), as well as disrupts high quality bean development. Soil quality is also at risk of deteriorating due to heavy rains causing erosion and depletion of essential nutrients. Erratic rainfall patterns have also caused an alarming issue for coffee cultivation since there is an associated uncertainty involving a change in typical rainy seasons, reducing water availability levels.
Community of the Union of Small Scale Producers in Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Due to drastic changes in weather patterns and the rise of climate related diseases and pests, coffee producers can no longer rely solely on natural and organic farming practices to sustain their crops. While 100% organic farming practices are environmentally friendly, they often lack the immediate effectiveness needed to combat threats. Additionally, it’s difficult for coffee producers in many countries to obtain and maintain organic and sustainability certifications. The associated costs, strict regulations, and annual renewal fees are difficult for small-scale producers to be able to keep up with. A financial burden is sometimes created even if producers are practicing sustainable farming methods.
Most of the cooperatives that De La Gente works with use fertilizers and insecticides that are a mix, being 80% natural and organic-based, and 20% chemical-based to help maintain proper care and health of coffee plants. This approach allows them to protect their crops while still prioritizing sustainability. However, the Union of Small Scale Producers are 100% organic, but the trade off of this is that their yield is often lower. According to data that De La Gente has collected from coffee producers, a coffee plant that has been treated organically produces about 3 pounds of coffee cherries, whereas a tree that has been treated with chemical fertilizers produces around 10 pounds of cherries. This is because organic farming practices require more labor intensive work and longer-term solutions such as agroforestry and composting, which don’t produce immediate results. For instance, a member of UPC, Julian, plants banana and plantain trees within his coffee fields. After he harvests the fruits for home consumption, he normally chops parts of the trunks into smaller pieces and throws them on the ground within coffee trees to decompose.
A Threat to Guatemala’s Coffee Identity
Severe weather patterns have destroyed coffee trees and reduced harvest yields, leading to financial instability for coffee producers. Additionally, the cost of replanting coffee trees is expensive, and many small-scale producers lack resources needed to be able to reinvest in their land after suffering major losses. Without financial support, they may give up on coffee cultivation altogether, left with no choice but to abandon their farms to seek alternative livelihoods.
The coffee industry is a major form of employment for many people in Guatemala. Whether jobs are seasonal or permanent positions, those involved in the industry depend on coffee production for their livelihoods. When harvest yields decrease and farms down-size, fewer workers are needed, which leads to widespread job losses. Without obtaining enough income to sustain their livelihoods, families that once relied on coffee farming for generations will be forced to migrate to more urban areas in search of work, contributing to the loss of traditional agricultural knowledge and weakened rural economies in Guatemala.
Cooperative Member of Santa Anita Cooperative
Additionally, with climate-related production losses reducing export rates, this leads to an instability in global supply chains. With fewer coffee beans available for export, coffee prices will continue to fluctuate more drastically, causing a greater stress on coffee producers and their communities. If there is a shortage of coffee in Guatemala, producers will also face greater competition in the international market, where they may struggle even more in the face of financial setbacks.
In turn, abandoning coffee farming contributes to many negative economic impacts, but also harms the environment. Environmental impacts involve changes in the functioning levels of the ecosystem and its biodiversity, such as land degradation, erosion, and decline in traditional agricultural communities. Coffee farming lies deep within Guatemala’s culture and history, with generations of families passing down traditional coffee cultivation techniques. The risk of people abandoning their land is associated with the risk of the loss of traditional knowledge and sustainable farming practices that have been used for decades. This loss not only affects individuals and their communities, but also threatens Guatemala’s identity as a coffee-producing country.
Cultivating a Sustainable Future
Coffee cultivation in traditional growing regions in Guatemala are facing environmental challenges, where a future in coffee doesn’t sound as promising as it used to. Although there is a rise in concern, there is still time to implement solutions that can help farmers adapt and thrive, along with contributing to diminishing the larger issue of climate change on a global standpoint. By promoting adaptation strategies and sustainable solutions - whether it be through agricultural practices, conscious consumer choices, or daily habits - the future of the coffee industry still has hope.
First, for agricultural production and coffee cultivation to thrive, it depends on the make-up of the biodiversity in the region. A greater variety of plants and trees strengthens these ecosystems by providing natural pest control, increasing pollination, and improving soil health. One implementation that promotes the growth of this is through agroforestry, which is a farming system that integrates trees with crops. This is used in some coffee-growing regions like Guatemala, and has gained more recognition as a transformative approach towards making agriculture more resilient and adaptive. Studies show that by implementing agroforestry systems, land quality can restored up to 50-80% of the biodiversity levels found in natural forests, making this a powerful tool for sustainable coffee farming.
Benito López, a coffee producer from Santa Anita Cooperative with coffee saplings
One of the most effective ways to incorporate agroforestry into coffee cultivation is by farming shade-grown coffee, where coffee plants are grown under a canopy of trees. This method produces higher-quality coffee beans by promoting the slower maturation of coffee, which is optimal for bean development and results in high-quality coffee with more complex flavors. Not only is this a positive way to enhance coffee quality, but it also makes coffee plants more resistant to the stress of changing climates. The presence of shade trees creates a microclimate within specific areas and improves soil health by drawing up nutrients from deep within the earth that coffee plants alone cannot access. Additionally, fallen leaves from trees mix with topsoil, acting as a natural mulch during the decomposition stage as nutrients are released back into the soil. Leaves also assist in retaining the soil’s moisture and serve as a water management tool. Agroforestry provides many other benefits, such as protecting against soil erosion, controlling microclimates, and more, all contributing towards greater economic sustainability.
Mitigating Environmental Challenges on a Global Level
Cacao tree within a coffee plantation in Santa Anita - features fallen leaves as topsoil
While coffee producers face the immediate consequences of climate change, individuals around the world can also play a part in diminishing this problem. They can be more conscious of their daily habits by supporting sustainable practices, sustainable and ethical coffee production, and slightly altering their routine to positively impact the environment. By making mindful choices, consumers can help protect the future of coffee cultivation while also contributing to a healthier planet.
Climate change is primarily caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Since coffee plants are highly sensitive to temperature changes and extreme weather events, reducing carbon emissions can directly help preserve environments. People can lower their carbon footprint by reducing their electricity consumption, driving less by sharing a ride or using public transportation to reduce fuel emissions, recycling, and minimizing waste. Some circular practices related to coffee consumption can be done by composting coffee grounds and using reusable coffee cups.
One of the most impactful ways to support coffee production and coffee producers is by purchasing directly from non-profit organizations and cooperatives who support sustainable and ethical practices. De La Gente’s partner cooperatives, such as Ija’tz and The Union of Small Scale Producers (UPC), have been using sustainable coffee farming techniques for many years. Ija’tz is located in a Maya Kaqchikel community where coffee producers focus on growing coffee within native vegetation, incorporating shade-grown coffee with agroforestry. Additionally, UPC uses pesticide free coffee cultivation and all of their crops are organic. Both of these cooperatives prioritize the environment and the land in which coffee is grown, and emphasize nurturing the land, prioritizing their communities, and producing high-quality coffee.
Julián from the UPC next to worm farm used for organic coffee fertilizer
De La Gente promises to provide fair wages and financial stability to small-scale producers who are members of our partner cooperatives, where proceeds help them reinvest in their communities, with a focus on coffee. Supporting small-scale producers that we work with also assists them directly in funding sustainable farm expansions, leading to an increase in coffee plants and other trees, which promotes biodiversity, counteracts carbon emissions, replenishes the soil - overall reducing the impact of environmental challenges. By choosing to purchase roasted coffee that supports responsible farming, you are also helping producers maintain their livelihoods and protect their crops from climate change.
Most importantly - spread the word! Educate others about environmental challenges, the importance of the sustainability of the coffee industry, and how large of an impact climate change has on the environment and the livelihoods of those who work hard to produce it. Encouraging cafes and coffee shops to source their coffee from sustainable sources and directly support coffee producers also contributes to a greater cause. You as a consumer can make a difference by supporting brands that source coffee sustainably, reduce your carbon footprint, support reforestation efforts, advocate for better policies, and educate others.
Arnulfo, Miguel Angel, and Aníbal (left to right), Ija’tz Cooperative Members
Despite the challenges that climate change poses on coffee producers in Guatemala and around the world, there is still hope. Global support is key to helping producers adapt their cultivating practices and allow coffee to be able thrive in a changing climate. By making conscious decisions and being mindful of daily habits, collective action can protect the future of coffee cultivation while fostering a more sustainable and resilient planet. If individuals around the world collectively alter their daily habits, consumers and businesses can slow the rise of global temperatures and help preserve climates where coffee thrives.
Support us in promoting the sustainability of Guatemala’s coffee industry! Buy a bag of coffee and encourage the growth of coffee production for our partner cooperatives!
