Costa Rican coffee farmers innovate as rainfall drops

Costa Rica’s coffee farmers once enjoyed abundant rain, but as rainfall becomes inconsistent, they are forced to innovate to continue producing one of the world’s favorite beers.

The country’s lush central valley has long enjoyed ideal climatic conditions for growing arabica coffee beans, its most iconic export, but farmers report that this is rapidly changing.

Jesus Valverde, owner of a family plantation in the town of Naranjo, is trying to adapt by planting fruit trees that provide shade and maintain humidity around his coffee plants.

“We have increased production” with this “microclimate”, this 59-year-old farmer explains to AFP.

Additionally, dry leaves that fall from trees fertilize the soil and reduce heat, a kind of “biological technology” that maintains soil moisture.

“I was ahead of climate change,” the coffee producer says proudly.

The Inter-American Development Bank estimates that rising temperatures could wipe out half of the world’s coffee harvests by 2050.

Although the country is one of the smallest coffee producers in the world, the bean has been one of Costa Rica’s main exports since the 19th century. Last year, the country shipped 60,000 tonnes worth $350 million.

The industry supports more than 25,000 families.

“The challenges are constant”

Data from the University of Costa Rica shows that annual precipitation has steadily declined, from 2,907 millimeters (114 inches) in 2010 to 1,759 millimeters in 2023.

However, some years are particularly dry, such as 2016, when only 952 millimeters fell.

With climate change, “the challenges are constant” as pests and fungi evolve, said Harold Gamboa, a specialist at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.

The Costa Rica Coffee Institute (Icafe) is working to develop more resistant coffee hybrids.

“By studying the DNA of different plants, we can accelerate the development of the best traits in a single plant,” said Erika Mendez, a 28-year-old biotechnology engineer.

In the past, farmers like Johel Alvarado only had to plant and wait for the country’s once-constant rains.

He now needs to install a drip irrigation system on his four-hectare coffee plantation.

“Every year, it becomes a little more difficult to produce the same quantity”, but “by innovating, we see that climate change does not affect us as much”, explains this 52-year-old farmer to AFP.

Eduardo Rojas, who manages a 50-hectare coffee plantation in the town of Sarchi, managed to increase his production after investing more than $200,000 in irrigation systems and other improvements.

In 2023, it harvested 43.5 bushels of coffee per hectare, more than double the national average.

“I didn’t think this was possible,” said Rojas, who has been in the industry for more than 40 years.

“People who own farms like this in very harsh climates … need to get involved in these projects,” he said.

© 2024 AFP