Brocap trap to control the coffee berry borer in Indonesia

The coffee berry borer (CBB, Hypothenemus hampei Ferr.) is the most serious insect pest on coffee in Indonesia. It causes significant yield losses in terms of coffee production, but also reduces coffee bean quality, resulting in low productivity and the poor quality of Indonesian coffee. On average, CBB infestation on Indonesian coffee is more than 20%, and it results in yield losses of more than 10%. Using traps is the new CBB control method and the Brocap trap, developed by CIRAD and PROCAFE in El Salvador, is specially designed for Hypothenemus hampei. The trap is considered as a useful addition to IPM for CBB control in Indonesia. (Résumé d'auteur

Analysis of the interactions of shade trees on coffee leaf diseases and coffee yield in complex agroforestry systems

In complex coffee-based agroforestry, quantifying interactions within the agrosystem that impact on coffee disease regulation and on coffee yield is a major stake to design sustainable cropping systems. To this end, we analyzed the interaction network between shade trees, coffee trees (Catimor variety), coffee foliar diseases complex (CFDC; majority of Mycena citricolor) and soil characteristics. The system is characterized by 40 variables measured in 60 plots spread on three farms (monitored for 2 years) in Nicaragua. We used Partial Least Square Path Modeling (PLSPM) to study the network interaction. We built 6 blocks with the more significant variables of each component: shade trees (shade percentage, species), soil (Cation Exchange Capacity, P), CFDC (incidence, severity), coffee trees age and size, coffee growth and coffee yield. The second part of the PLSPM was performed between blocks. Shade trees, mostly the shade percentage, had direct positive effects on CFDC and soil quality, and negative effects on coffee growth and yield. Shade had also an indirect negative effect on coffee trees by increasing CFDC, which impedes coffee growth and yield. Soil variables being negatively related to CFDC, shade had an indirect effect on coffee trees. Reducing excessive shade cover seems to be a solution to enhance positive impacts of shade trees on coffee yield. Overall, shade management requires an analysis of trade-offs between soil quality, diseases regulation and yield gains

Price Determinants in Top Quality E-Auctioned Specialty Coffees

The US specialty coffee industry has grown from $1 billion in 1990 to$11 billion in 2006 and is expected to continue to grow into the foreseeable future. This growth particularly depends on prices coordinating the specialty coffee supply chain through two-way information exchange between roasters and producers. We analyze the determinants of specialty coffee prices by estimating a hedonic price function for specialty Central and South American coffees traded at e-auctions. We hypothesize that since specialty coffee is a differentiated product, prices will be determined by both sensory and reputation attributes. The results show that prices are influenced by the quality rating, which is a sensory variable, and by the quality rankings established in the cupping competition previous to the auction, the country of origin and the coffee variety, which are reputation variables. In addition, the macro variables, harvest year and commodity price were found to be significant.Specialty coffee, hedonic price analysis, differentiated food pricing, sensory attributes, reputation attributes, Demand and Price Analysis,

DEVELOPMENT OF MINIMUM COST, INCENTIVE BASED PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TECHNOLOGY STANDARD FOR COFFEE PROCESSING IN HONDURAS

In Honduras, traditional coffee processing is the cause of two problems: poor coffee quality and contaminated water. In this study we propose to replace traditional coffee processing plants with a network of improved ecological plants that would be optimally located in a sub-watershed. The method is an adaptation of a spatial integer linear programming that determines the optimal location and size of new coffee processing plants. We applied the method to a typical sub-watershed in the hillsides of western Honduras and show that coffee quality can be improved and contamination can be reduced substantially at a relatively low cost. We also calculated the incentive for small farmers to give up home processing. We find that the incentive is much lower than the premium that could be obtained from an improved coffee quality.Agribusiness,

Perceived Constraints and Opportunities for Brazilian Smallholders Going Organic: a case of coffee in the state of Minas Gerais

This paper presents the findings of an analysis of the perceived rationales of smallholders for declining or entering organically certified coffee production, in the case Poço Fundo region, Minas Gerais. Based on group interviews and questionnaires, the rationale for farmers who declined organic production were found to be avoidance of perceived risk of harvest failure associated with the process of convertion from conventional to organic coffee production. Rationales for farmers who entered organic production included non-market benefits such as environmental quality and life quality enhancement

TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND CONTAMINATION BY COFFEE PROCESSING A BIOECONOMIC MODEL AT THE WATERSHED LEVEL IN HONDURAS

In Honduras, traditional coffee processing is the cause of two major problems: poor coffee quality and contaminated water. In this paper we present a method that determines the trade-off between economic efficiency and contamination in a Honduran sub-watershed. The method is a bioeconomic model based on mathematical programming that stimulates the functioning of the interlinked economic and ecological processes in the sub-watershed. We compare various scenarii where the model is given the possibility of replacing traditional coffee processing plants with a network of improved ecological plants. For different levels of contamination the model determines the optimal location and size of new coffee processing plants along river streams by minimizing transport, variable and fixed costs. The restrictions of the system are the volume of wet coffee to be processed, the available stream water, and in the alternative scenarii, investment capital and contaminant concentration in the river. We apply the method to a typical sub-watershed in the hillsides of western Honduras and show that coffee quality can be improved and contamination can be reduced substantially at a relatively low cost.coffee, environment, water quality, mathematical programming, transport cost, spatial analysis, watershed, Honduras., Environmental Economics and Policy,

Gumantar Coffee Project

abstract: The community of Gumantar in Lombok, Indonesia, one of the poorest regions of the island, is home to a large number of coffee farmers. Due primarily to production quality, these farmers struggle to earn a sufficient wage. While trying to provide for their families, the local environment often suffers. The persistent poverty has resulted in lower education levels, health care barriers, and decreased well-being. In an effort to empower the farmers and promote sustainable development, I have created a best practice guide that looks at five coffee production factors. The local farmers have specifically requested case supported, science-based information regarding these factors. The factors include farming techniques, drying practices, coffee specific small business skills, financial literacy, and coffee certification requirements. Access to information regarding these topics is intended to help reduce poverty, increase accessibility to quality education, and support local economic development, environmental health, and community health and well-being

Evaluation of beverage quality and green bean physical characteristics of selected Arabica coffee genotypes in Kenya

Physical characteristics of green coffee bean have been reported to affect beverage quality to some extent. The objective of this study was to assess the beverage quality and green bean physical characteristics of forty two arabica coffee genotypes and to determine the relationship between the two attributes. Green bean physical characteristics were assesed through actual measurements, grading and weighing while beverage quality was determined by a panel of seven judges using the prescribed sensory evaluation procedures. Sensory data was used to calculate diversity in beverage quality among genotypes and to construct a dendrogram using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average. Data were also subjected to analysis of variance and differences declared significant at 5% level based on Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Linear correlation was done to compare the relationship between variables. Cluster analysis results demonstrated 0 - 47% diversity in beverage quality among genotypes. There was close similarity among coffee tasters in ranking various beverage quality characteristics of the cultivars indicating that the panel was reliable in assessment of beverage quality. All sensory variables evaluated were positively and significantly correlated. However, correlations between the sensory variables and green bean physical characteristics were non-significant. (Résumé d'auteur