Colombia's coffee industry faces significant challenges due to climate change, including erratic weather impacting harvest cycles and fostering pests and diseases. Researchers at Cenicafé are developing hybrid coffee varieties to combat these issues, but the evolution of pests requires ongoing innovation and genetic diversity. Farmers are also reverting to traditional shade-grown methods, which can be slow but allow for premium market access and ecological benefits. The difficult trade-offs between high-yield production and sustainable practices complicate the landscape for coffee growers as they navigate these profound changes.
"Before, the seasons seemed etched into the calendar, with well-defined periods of drought and rain. Today, the climate has gone completely mad!" says coffee grower Oscar Gomez.
"The country is also facing extreme weather events from successive cycles of La Niña and El Niño that bring either torrential rains or prolonged droughts."
"Some researchers say coffee growers must at times choose between high-yield hybrids or eco-friendly organic farming, weighing sustainability against economic survival."
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