Coffee Quality Starts on the Farm

Coffee producers belonging to the Cooperativa Regional de Cafes Especiales Global Cafes in Huila, Colombia, identified farm productivity and coffee quality as top priorities for their 2024 Fair Trade investments. Recently, rising fertilizer prices, ongoing economic pressures, and unpredictable climate shifts have made it hard for many farmers to keep up with their fertilization plans. Over time, these daily challenges directly harmed crop nutrition, overall harvest yields, and coffee quality. In response, the cooperative dedicated about $115,240 USD, which is roughly 60% of its Community Development Funds, to help buy fertilizer for member farms. This strategic investment focused on supplying agricultural materials that matched local soil test results. The project also tailored these supplies to meet the specific nutritional needs of the coffee plants based on their growing cycles and local field conditions. Overall, this vital project directly benefited 60 coffee producers. It helped members successfully maintain the fertilization plans needed to protect their harvest yields and coffee quality. By providing access to essential farming supplies during a time of high costs, the cooperative actively supported steady farm operations. This valuable backing promotes the long term success and sustainability of coffee production across the region.