Global Coffee Platform (GCP) and Partnership for Forests (P4F) recently signed a joint agreement that will explore and promote agroforestry practises in the coffee regions of East Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new partnership signed in June 2022 between P4F, a UK government-funded programme, and GCP aims to improve the income of farmers by producing coffee sustainably. The partnership\u2019s first phase will run from September 2022 until July 2023, whose goals include connecting with local stakeholders and introducing them to the programme\u2019s ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The alliance will strengthen the new GCP Collective Action Initiative, “Youth for Coffee in Uganda,” as well as the national sustainability curricula in the area. The Kenyan and Tanzanian populations in particular will benefit from the lessons learned from this program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Countries of East Africa have been favourites for many coffee lovers around the world. The medium-to-full bodied coffees with pleasant floral and fruity notes from this region are sought after, especially for their rich acidity that is perfect as single origin beans or part of a blend. But as in many other coffee regions, East Africa too, is threatened by climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the proposed solutions that can tackle this problem and improve both quality and sustainability practises is agroforestry. It is likened to a closed ecosystem where various plants create a microclimate together and can even nurture each other, effectively eliminating the need for fertiliser and other additives. Such a system can see an increase in pollinators, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By exploring with Partnerships for Forests, the nexus between farmer income and agroforestry practises, we can look forward to viable learnings and results both on farmer prosperity while at the same time ensuring sustainable practises for coffee production in line with regenerative agriculture.<\/p>Annette Pensel, Executive Director, GCP<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Shade-grown coffee is a byproduct of regenerative agriculture and is popular among sustainability-conscious people. It leads to higher pricing on account of both sustainability and quality because shaded cherries often mature longer and provide denser beans. Intercropping, a practise that includes cultivating two or more crops together on the same plot of land, also provides farmers with an additional source of food and revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ben Aschenaki, P4F\u2019s Regional Director for East Africa, hopes the partnership will \u201cmobilise large-scale investments that integrate regenerative practises and sustainable landscape governance in the sector at the regional level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n