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Working with small holder farmers on ecosystem services in coffee production landscapes of Tarrazu , Costa Rica

Working with small holder farmers on ecosystem services in coffee production landscapes of Tarrazu , Costa Rica. Mark Chandler 1 , Tom Dietsch 1 , Sebastian Castro 1 , John Banks 2 , Natalia Urena 1 1 Earthwatch Institute; 2 University of Washington, Tacoma.

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Working with small holder farmers on ecosystem services in coffee production landscapes of Tarrazu , Costa Rica

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  1. Working with small holder farmers on ecosystem services in coffee production landscapes of Tarrazu, Costa Rica • Mark Chandler1, Tom Dietsch1, Sebastian Castro1, John Banks2, Natalia Urena1 • 1Earthwatch Institute; 2University of Washington, Tacoma

  2. Coffee production in Costa Rica • Intensification in 1970-80s • Declines in productivity since 1990s 2

  3. Towards sustainability and resilience Threats • High reliance on external inputs • Exhausted soils • Outbreaks of pests and fungal pathogens • Fluctuating prices • Impacts • Declining yields and quality • Reduced economic viability • Change in governance/management structure of producers • Opportunities • New financial models linked to sustainability • More sustainable production practices available • Interested and motivated supply chain

  4. Landscapes and actors • Many ecosystem services tied to vegetative cover and diversity Enhanced habitat for biodiversity Improved quality of the matrix Increased connectivity of forest fragments Seed Dispersal Pollination Pest Control Reduced erosion Increased soil quality Diversified and increased livelihoods Intensive coffee production “syndrome” 4

  5. Model based on partnerships (and networks) • Earthwatch – Starbucks partnership – CoopeTarrazu – producers • and others (University of Costa Rica, InBio, coffee consumers) 5

  6. Earthwatch participatory research model • - Engaging volunteers and farmers in field research • - Priorities were driven primarily by partners • Agronomy and tools for farmers, mostly around inputs, soil and coffee yield and quality • Pest and pathogen research • Biodiversity surveys in agricultural matrix, including pollinators 6

  7. Whoparticipated? • Producersandextensionofficiersfromthe 4 cooperatives (100+) • Publicvolunteersand students (300+) • Universityresearchers • Starbucks CoffeeCompany (executives, employees, customers) • Employeesfromothercorporatecompanies : Ernst & Young, McDonalds, Nestlé, CreditSuisse, HSBC, LandRover, SaudiAramco

  8. Relationships between inputs and coffee Net inputs of fertilizer by producers exceeded system needs for nitrogen Coffee yield and quality was related to soil calcium (+), fungal pathogen (-) and altitude (-) Soil calcium was related to soil pH (-ve) which in turn was related to amount of fertilzier applied (-ve) • (Castro et al 2012) 8

  9. Applying field results to management Over 2 years reduction in fertilizer (303 kg/ha less, 7/ha fewer bags) but increased liming. Increase in pH (from 4.50 to 4.70) Increase in soil calcium Plant productivity (# berries per branch) increased from 26 to 32 (22 percent increase) But story not so simple, Fertilizer costs and other coffee management practices led to mixed results in terms of coffee yield on fields and subsequent input levels! 9

  10. Broadening the reach • Request for tools to support producer assessment of coffee sustainability • Soil assessment • Farm log books/registers • Request for in-field producer workshops around core sustainability issues (pest management, shade tree management, biodiversity, etc.) • Further research on key issues: - Pollinators and forests - Shade trees - Pest management

  11. Some lessons Agricultural production systems often have self-reinforcing mechanisms or habits which make them hard to shift to alternative systems Participatory models for sustainability need to touch : • Ecological relationships, • Socio-economics, and also • Governance Working directly with producers can help initiate positive change, but - it takes time - communication in ways relevant to producers critical, but complexity of system creates challenges - self-assessment needs to be built into existing systems 11

  12. Thanks and acknowledgements • Starbucks Coffee Company • CoopeTarrazu • Ernst & Young • Hundreds of producers and volunteers 12

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