An aerial view of a coffee farm practicing regenerative agriculture, with varied green hues and patches of diverse crops and native trees. © GIZ/Ralph Sabud

Revitalising rural coffee cultivation with eco-friendly practices

Transforming livelihoods and climate resilience of smallholder coffee producers through the adoption of regenerative agriculture production systems (Project Coffee++)

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  • Client

    German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

  • Political sponsors

    More

  • Runtime

    2023 to 2025

  • Involved

    Nestlé, local government units (Pangantucan LGU, Kalilangan LGU, Maramag LGU, and Lantapan LGU, Sen. Ninoy Aquino LGU, Bagumbayan LGU, Lebak LGU, Esperanza LGU, Kalamansig LGU)

  • Products and expertise

    Rural development

Context

Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Côte d'Ivoire, all with a rich history in coffee cultivation, face severe production declines from 60 to 80 per cent. Their rural coffee-producing areas also grapple with high poverty. Despite this downturn, local demand in Asia continues to rise, with coffee consumption increasing by five per cent annually, outpacing the global growth rate of two per cent.

However, coffee plantations operate below potential because smallholder farmers, predominant in the industry, struggle with low productivity, limited access to knowledge, constrained access to inputs and financial services. Weak institutions and a lack of farmer organisations are among the reasons. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges, causing adverse weather patterns and contributing to decreased farm production.

A woman holds a basket while standing in a lush agroforestry coffee farm, surrounded by diverse undergrowth and taller trees.© GIZ/Jhonnisa Cubio

Objective

Improved farm economics, restored agricultural landscapes, enhanced organisational skills in farmer groups and cooperatives, along with institutionalised interventions through strategic partnerships have boosted coffee production in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Côte d'Ivoire.

Approach

The project aims to enhance livelihoods and climate resilience in smallholder coffee communities through regenerative agriculture and landscape management. It includes 7,000 farmers in Indonesia, 7,500 in Côte d’Ivoire, 2,200 in Thailand, and 3,000 in the Philippines, totalling 19,700 farmers. These smallholder farmers are improving their farming practices and financial literacy through Farmer Business Schools, with a focus on soil health, biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

To boost productivity, lower carbon emissions, and elevate living standards, the project incorporates these activities:

  • agroforestry
  • intercropping/diversification
  • tree planting.

Additionally, Nestlé supports the initiative by purchasing coffee and offering incentives for adopting eco-friendly practices, aiming for broad-based long-term agricultural development.

Last update: May 2024