Regenerative farming practices and environmental stewardship are key to maintaining the coffee industry. - 123rf
The coffee industry is facing significant challenges due to climate change, with rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns leading to increased coffee bean prices and declining quality.
These challenges are compounded by traditional coffee farming methods, which contribute to environment degradation through the extensive use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
This leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, putting coffee-producing regions at risk.
As climate change worsens, regions once ideal for coffee cultivation are now facing the risk of becoming unsuitable. This threatens the future quality and availability of coffee, with profound implications for prices and the livelihoods of farmers worldwide.
However, some studies suggest that climate change may also bring about unexpected production opportunities in new regions.
Without proactive intervention and adaptation, the future of the coffee industry and the livelihoods of farmers and communities worldwide are at stake.
(First row, in dark jacket) Kelvin Ngow together with his dedicated team at the Coffee, Planet and Us 2024 event are ready to transform the coffee industry by advocating for sustainable farming practices.
A cup of hope
In contrast to conventional agriculture methods that depend on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides to boost yields and keep costs low, regenerative farming (RF) offers a sustainable, long-term solution by focusing on the restoration of ecosystem health and revitalising the land.
The benefits of RF include:
> Soil health: RF improves soil through organic matter enrichment and structure enhancement, utilising cover crops, composting, and minimal tillage. Healthier soil leads to more resilient coffee plants, improving their ability to withstand pests and diseases.
> Biodiversity: Crop diversification supports a complex and balanced ecosystem, which can help control pests naturally and reduce reliance on pesticides.
> Carbon sequestration: Regenerative techniques like agroforestry (integrating trees with crops) and cover cropping (planting specific crops to cover soil) store carbon in soil and vegetation, aiding in climate change mitigation.
> Improved water use: Enhanced soil health increases water retention, reducing irrigation needs.
Healthier soils and more stable ecosystems result in robust coffee plants, higher yields and improved bean quality.
This benefits farmers economically by lowering costs and raising the market value of their beans.
Other regenerative practices a farm could integrate include:
> Composting: Using organic fertiliser from decomposing plant and food waste to add nutrients back into the soil structure
> Mulching: Placing a layer of organic material on the soil surface around coffee plants to protect it. Mulching material improves soil moisture, moderates soil temperature, suppresses weed growth among other things.
> Contour planting: A soil conservation technique to prevent errosion and manage rainfall run-off. This would be beneficial for hilly farmlands.
Seeds of change
In response to the urgent need for industry-wide conscious consumption, Coffex Coffee (M) Sdn Bhd will be launching an initiative dedicated to ethical coffee sourcing, MONO Origine.
Its executive director Kelvin Ngow, in recognising the intricate connection between climate change, farming practices, and coffee production, aims for MONO Origine to not just deliver a delicious cup of coffee but also positively impact the planet and its inhabitants.
The initiative seeks to counter the negative effects of climate change on coffee by promoting sustainability, ethical sourcing, and raising awareness about the impacts of unethical farming practices.
Ngow emphasises the importance of immediate action, warning that coffee—a beverage second only to water in global consumption—risks becoming a luxury item.
He stresses, “We can no longer ignore climate change and global warming. Each of us contributes, directly or indirectly, to these phenomena.”
MONO Origine demonstrates its commitment to ethical sourcing by employing a comprehensive 27-point checklist.
It covers a wide range of social, environmental, and economic parameters, from prohibiting deforestation and pollution to promoting agroforestry, soil conservation, and the use of organic fertilisers.
This checklist ensures that all coffee products that come under the MONO Origine brand meet the highest standards of sustainability.MONO Origine takes a hands-on approach to verify compliance with its standards. Through interviews, farm visits, and direct engagement with farmers, MONO Origine’s rigorous process ensures that all its partners adhere to the principles of ethical farming, shares Ngow.
He introduced MONO Origine at the Coffee, Planet and Us 2024 event, which addressed the urgent challenges of climate change and presented the foundational ideas behind this movement.
The event served as a platform to spotlight the genesis of MONO and the potential of MONO Origine to contribute to reversing the effects of climate change through conscious consumption and sustainable coffee production.
Ngow, who also founded MONO Origine, hopes the initiative will encourage more producers to adopt regenerative farming methods, opening opportunities to educate consumers on the effects of climate change and gaining more support for this movement, sharing a vision to safeguard the planet and well-being of people.
Both consumers and businesses can contribute to a more sustainable and ethical coffee industry by choosing to support initiatives like MONO Origine.
The future brews bright
As climate change continues to impact global coffee production, proactive initiatives like MONO Origine that uplift producers offer a glimmer of hope.
Through conscious consumption and innovative farming practices, coffee enthusiasts can ensure the joy of coffee remains for generations to come.
Let our next cup of coffee remind us of the impact our choices have on the world, encouraging us to support those who strive to make a difference.
