Biodiversity Its Importance for the Specialty Coffee Markets Taye Kufa PhD National Coffee, Tea Spices R

2. INTRODUCTION All coffee species are indigenous to Africa About 103 species of genus Coffea are identified All are restricted to the tropical forests of Africa, Madagascar and islands of the Indian Ocean (Mascarene Islands) Coffea arabica L. and Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehn have commercial values in the coffee industry worldwide. Coffea arabica is indigenous to the forests of highlands southwest and southeast Ethiopia Arabica coffee is the most popular, 70% of the total coffee production and over 90% of the world market. The remaining proportions come from Robusta coffee, which originates from the equatorial lowland forests of west and central Africa.

3. INTRODUCTION Ethiopian: Primary center of origin & genetic diversity for many plants One of the richest Biodiversity Centers Ecological diversity (climate/soil) Natural forests harbour diverse fauna & flora (wildlife, plants, micro-organisms, insects, birds�.) Crop diversity Coffee diversity Molecular/genetics Disease resistance Insect tolerance Yield & vigour (morphological) Inherent quality Drought tolerance & other attributes.

4. INTR� Genetic diversity and heterosis could be related to: Diversity in origin (geographical separation) Gene frequencies Ancestral relationships Morphological variations Adaptation & mitigation strategies to climate changes.

6. Speciality Coffee Associations Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) World Leaders in Specialty Brazil Colombia Vietnam EAFCA region All sustainability initiatives and certifications increasing � Still a modest supplier.

12. Challenges Sustainability /specialty Coffees Yield- (quantity & quality) Quality (traceable & transparency)

13. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENTATION GENERAL: Biodiversity & coffee gene pools conserved and used Quality environments and human health ensured Living standards of the smallholders improved Development of the coffee sector sustained.

14. To emphasize the links between healthy environments and coffee diversity To present the existing opportunities and risks affecting eco-systems & coffee gene pools To suggest priority areas for competitive and sustainable development of the coffee sector in Ethiopia & worldwide. SPECIFIC 

15. Coffee In Ethiopia Coffee is mainly produced in southwest, southeast, south, south east parts of the country. In these areas are found the famous coffee types including Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Harar, Limmu, Gimbi coffee types. The total area devoted to coffee is estimated at 662,000 hectares, of which 496,000 hectares is estimated to be productive. Productivity is too low, but of unique superior quality. There are different arabica coffee cultivars with desirable agronomic traits (yield, vigor, growth habit, yield stability, quality, resistance to disease and insects, drought tolerance, etc).

16. EXISTING Opportunities Diversities Climate Soils Plant species (shade trees) Coffee genetics (wild/cultivated) Ecosystem services (water, food�) Technological innovations Traditional knowledge & experiences Advantages To meet all sustainability criteria To supply market-oriented superior coffees To provide breeding sources for any desirable traits To reduce coffee price risks (local consumption).

17. Major production systems Forest/wild Semi-forest Garden Large-scale plantations The majority (90%) comes from the small-holders; the remaining comes from large-scale producers All representing different coffee based agro-forestry systems.

18. COFFEE PRODUCTION Coffee Intensification Hamper efforts to protect habitats and species diversity Narrow coffee gene pools Short-term advantages High climate and market risks Expensive to poor coffee producers. Low-input: Coffee-based agroforestry/intercropping Promote conservation agriculture/organic farming system Maintain ideal environments and maximum biodiversity Enhance sustainable use of natural resources Provide free ecosystem services and rich biodiversity Promote superior quality products for human health. THE GAP NEED PROPER INSENTIVES/COMPENSATIONS.

19. Risks affecting Coffee eco-system & Coffee Diversity Predominant traditional production system Low yield & poor quality Weak stakeholder linkages/coffee forum Little attention to the coffee sector (unlike food crops) Little market promotion & incentive mechanism Access on use & benefit NOT in place Great risks of gene loss.

20. Challenges/Threats� Deforestation Land degradation Climate change Diseases Crop replacement Gene pool erosion Weak stakeholder linkages Predominant traditional production Low yield & poor quality Economic crisis Little market promotion & incentive mechanism.

21. Challenges� Limited use of improved technologies Inadequate services (credit, inputs, equipments�) Little market promotion Lack of incentives Low price shares & benefit (farmers) Fair-trade & sustainability = ?? Increasing demand for high quality coffees Increasing costs of production, processing & marketing Beyond the reach of the poorest coffee producers & their families Lack of sustainability & competitiveness in the coffee sector

22. MAJOR CAUSES/REASONS In Ethiopia, coffee gene pools are endangered mainly due to: Increasing population Deforestation & land degradation Expansion of large farms Crop replacement (Chat) Coffee prices and Climate change Physiological disorders/drying Diseases & insect pests.

23. CHALLENGES� Nowadays, additional stress imposed from climate change is aggravating the problems, particularly under open sun conditions. Unbalanced growths (continuous flowering) Inefficient use of natural resources Require intensive inputs New problem = New solutions.

24. WHY DEFORESTATION? The main driving forces are:- Expansion of agricultural lands Uncontrolled exploitation of forest resources Overgrazing Seasonal fire Non-forestry investment Mining and new settlements (Gole, 2003)

25. COFFEE CONSERVATION Two approaches-complementary In-situ (in their natural habitats) and Ex-situ (out of their areas of origin). In Africa, about 21,407 coffee germplasm (Dullo et al., 1998; Bachew & Labouisse (2006) Arabica = 10,573 Robusta = 8,000 Mascaro coffea = 1,282 Arabica or robusta = 1,552 Around 89.85% of the Arabica germplasm is found in Ethiopia. Surendra (2008) also reported about 99.8%.

26. Coffee Conservation Up to now, a total of 11,691 arabica coffee germplasm accessions are collected and ex-situ conserved in field genebanks in Ethiopia. Jimma Research Center and its sub-centers = 5960 Institute of Biodiversity Conservation = 5731 Ethiopian coffee forest conservation efforts (www.coffee.uni-bonn.de) Eight forest areas identified and delineated Four studied (six-sub projects) Two proposed as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves The Yayu Coffee Forest The Kafa Coffee Forest.

27. Coffee Research in Ethiopia Coffee Research started before JARC-1967 Contributions Safeguard coffee genetic resources from loss Increased coffee production & productivity Improved living standard of small-holding farmers Increased export volume and foreign currency

28. Major Thematic Areas Collection & characterization Evaluation & selection Local variety development Forest coffee management Nursery management Ex-situ conservation/maintenance Improved processing techniques Multiplication & distribution

29. Major Research Achievements 26 coffee varieties (23 pure line & 3 hybrids) 12 specialty coffees (3 Sidama/Yirgachefe, 4 Gimbi, 5 Harar) Identified 38 improved coffees + other promising Improved agronomic package technologies (nursery, forest & garden/agro-forestry based coffee management) Clean coffee yield = 12-24 q/ha (research); 6-10 (on-farm) Low yield, but superior quality Specialty coffee farming systems studied. Four decades of coffee R & D in Ethiopia in August 2007 All achievements are documented in a Coffee Diversity & Knowledge Book (Girma et al., 2008)

32. Technology Transfer REFLAC Trainings & field days Farmers Research Group Demonstrations and popularization Provision of seeds and advisory services

33. Multiplication & Distribution of Improved coffee seeds by JARC (1972-2000 EC)

34. Coffee Germplasm at Coffee Research Field Gene Banks 

35. Multiplication & distribution of seedlings of Improved specialty coffees- 2009/2010

36. COFFEE Research Strategy Location specific technology development Targeting problems, market-demand, quality. Team oriented research End-to-end Technology generation & adaptation. Five National Coffee Projects and Target Areas South west (Jimma, Illuababora, Tepi, Bonga�.) West (Wellega zones-Gimbi) South (Sidama, Yirgacheffe) East (Hararge, Bale, Arsi) Minor areas (Gambella, Benshangul G, S.Omo, Amhara, Tigray, Gurage zone)

37. COFFEE Research Priorities Development of improved coffee varieties & package technologies for each area Identification of low caffeine coffee varieties Development of coffee wilt disease resistant varieties Mapping quality profile by origin/market niche Multiplication/distribution of specialty coffees Scaling up/out of improved technologies National coffee survey/farming system studies Coffee Diversity & Knowledge (Girma et al., 2008)

38. COFFEE Research Priorities Breeding/selection of coffee varieties Coffee farming system studies Soil fertility/test based fertilizer Soil & water conservation Control of coffee pests Coffee processing & handlings Coffee by-product management (EM) Conservation of natural resources (soil, water, plants�) Small-scale irrigation systems

39. Competent & Sustainable Coffee Sector IN ETHIOPIA More focus to INTEGRATED COFFEE Conservation/Research/ Extension/marketing Supporting FTCs, focusing on coffee Establishment of coffee training centers/colleges Expansion/dissemination of improved coffee technologies Strengthening farmers� cooperatives/unions/producers Empowering local community/representation at each level

40. Competent & Sustainable ... Establishment of coffee seed/seedling production system Use of environmentally friendly processing and storage Development of more grading, promotion works, domestic/new, niche & alternative markets Enhance Coffee quality control and rewarding-Premium Price for QUALITY Sustainable Use & Conservation of coffee gene pools & its forest areas Strengthening stakeholder linkages (Coffee Forum/FUND) at each level.

41. Why do we need Partners? Environmental, economic & social sustainability of the coffee sector requires strong collaborative partners. Technical & financial supports Delivery of farm inputs Processing and storage facilities Target the local communities (basic needs) NEED Coordination & SUSTAINABILITY!!

42. Why do �? Conservation of coffee habitats and coffee genetic diversity Support coffee marketing and promotion/educational works (new markets, value-added products, ecotourism�.) Enhancing household incomes of smallholder coffee farmers Improve productivity & quality, maintaining sustainable environments SUSTAINABLE COFFEE ECONOMY & FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COFFEE SECTOR.

43. CONCLUSIONS OUR VISION: Ethiopia becoming centre of excellence for arabica coffee research & training in Africa Given the huge potentials, Ethiopia can continue production of market oriented super fine quality coffees, while conserving its natural resource bases Scaling out/up improved technologies Marketing and PROMOTION activities Collaboration among actors in the coffee sector Establishing/promoting national coffee certification Strengthening the national coffee FORUM TARGET Healthy Ecosystem, QUALITY products Premium price & improve the life style of the POOREST coffee PRODUCERS.

44. ENJOY THE FINE ETHIOPIAN COFFEES!