Coffee

Climate zone: Tropical – Dry – Temperate – Continental – Polar 

Being produced in more than 70 countries worldwide, coffee truly is a global player. While it can only be produced in specific climatic conditions, the final product is consumed all over the world. The actual plant – scientifically called coffea – is a shrub or small tree usually cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical climates with high altitude. As global warming intensifies, temperatures rise and droughts are becoming more prevalent. Coffea plants suffer from these developments as they prefer a cooler and humid climate resulting in lower coffee production. 

Shade-loving coffee plants grow exceptionally well in agroforestry systems. The results are increased quality, economic benefits for farmers, flourishing nature, and increased resilience against the impacts of climate change. In short, producing coffee in agroforestry systems provides a wide range of environmental and socio-economic benefits. In light of the current challenges for farmers, agroforestry provides us with an immensely potent solution. reNature drives the transition of coffee monocultures towards lush agroforestry systems globally. Check out our projects below to find out more.

Crop Combinations 

Coffee crops can be grown with banana, black pepper, cardamom, arecanut, native ginger, vanilla, and orange. However, as with every crop, it completely depends on the area you are growing coffee in. 

Across Eastern and Central Africa, rising temperatures are having a significant effect on the suitability of coffee systems. The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has been researching the advantages of the conventional practice of intercropping coffee and bananas since 2006.  Growing the two crops together, according to on-farm analysis, increases total revenue per unit area by more than 50% compared to monocropped banana or coffee, without affecting coffee yield. Intercropping coffee with bananas also proves useful in risk reduction and improving food security. 

Trends 

We’ve seen this trend develop across markets for some time, and coffee is no exception: consumers are becoming more aware of where their goods come from and what shape they take, and are changing their purchasing habits as a result. Of course, this has repercussions all the way up and down the supply chain. According to a survey by the United States National Coffee Association, 53% of coffee drinkers in the United States want to buy coffee that is good for the climate, the farmers who grow the beans, and their communities.