Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee as well as the world’s fifth-largest coffee producer of coffee beans. Ethiopian coffee is known for its unique flavor. And also, the coffee industry is a significant contributor to the country’s economy and livelihoods of millions of Ethiopians.
However, Ethiopia’s coffee industry, like many of the world’s coffee growing countries, is facing significant challenges due to climate change. Climate change is affecting the weather patterns in Ethiopia, causing changes in rainfall distribution, temperature, and humidity. These changes are having a significant impact on coffee production, with farmers experiencing reduced yields and poorer quality coffee beans.
Chief Executive of Development at Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, Fekadu Deferes told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia has experienced an increase in temperature of around 0.3°C since at least the 1950s and a decrease in rainfall in some areas. In this sense, many places that are suitable for coffee today will not be suitable in the future.
He stated that Climate change is hurting the poor yield and production because of the lack of rain, rise in temperature, prevalence of unfavorable circumstances, illnesses, and pests. Water contamination, soil erosion, and deforestation are all consequences of changing coffee production. Coffee production is vulnerable.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projections, climate change would by 2050 both diminish average global yields and acreage suitable for growing coffee. Coffee cultivation is shifting from lowlands to highlands as a result of climate change.
He mentioned that the biggest issues with climate change in the past have been the diseases and pests that the Qola (lowland) areas of the country experienced due to a lack of rain and rising temperatures, as well as harsh frosts that had a negative impact on productivity and yields.
The Authority attempts to mitigate the impact of climate change on coffee plantations by applying select seeds, protecting the soil and water physically and biologically, and adopting supportive irrigation. For instance, in 2013, from the Southern Dilla region and the southwest part of Ethiopia, as well as the majority of the lowland coffee growing regions of our nation, he added.
Coffee plantations can play a significant role in protecting the environment and preventing climate change, particularly when they are managed using sustainable practices that prioritize environmental conservation and biodiversity.
And also, Coffee plantations can help to maintain healthy soils and reduce erosion, which can help to prevent soil degradation and protect water resources. Sustainable coffee farming practices, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, can help to maintain soil health and fertility and reduce the need for chemical inputs, which can help to mitigate the negative impacts of coffee farming on the environment.
He reiterated that coffee farming helps to combat climate change. The coffee industry has prevented further deforestation in our nation’s western and southern regions, ensuring their continued existence. Coffee still exists as long as there is a forest. And also, the cultivation of coffee is also greatly influenced by green heritage. According to him, the green legacy campaign program has spent the last four years focusing on the coffee industry. Since the campaign’s beginning, billions of coffee trees have been planted.
In the same way, Coffee plantations can also help to promote biodiversity and support wildlife habitats. By planting shade trees and other vegetation in and around coffee plantations, farmers can create habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife, which can help to promote biodiversity and support the health of local ecosystems.
Moreover, sustainable coffee farming practices can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. For example, practices such as composting and cover cropping can help to decrease carbon in soils, while reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and other inputs can help to reduce emissions associated with their production and transportation.
Furthermore, Coffee plantations can also provide economic opportunities for local communities, which can help to promote sustainable development and reduce the pressure on natural resources. By supporting sustainable coffee farming practices and promoting equitable economic development, coffee plantations can help to create a more sustainable and resilient future for both people and the planet.
The impacts of climate change on Ethiopian coffee have been significant and are likely to become even more severe in the future. As one of the world’s largest coffee producers and home to a diverse range of coffee varieties, Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate.
The country has already experienced shifts in rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and increased incidents of pests and diseases, all of which have had a negative impact on coffee production. In addition, changing weather patterns have led to soil erosion and degradation, which further exacerbates the challenges facing Ethiopian coffee.
He underlined that in order to control Ethiopia’s climate, in addition to the green legacy campaign program, efforts are being made to bring out drought-tolerant species, soil and water conservation, and expanding the use of supportive irrigation. And also he explained in order to solve the problem, research organizations are introducing drought resistant varieties of coffee.
Despite these challenges, there are steps that Ethiopian coffee farmers and the broader industry can take to mitigate the impacts of climate change. These include adopting sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, which can help to maintain healthy soils and reduce the need for chemical inputs.
Other strategies include diversifying crops, improving water management, and investing in research and development to identify new coffee varieties that are better adapted to a changing climate. By taking these steps, the Ethiopian coffee industry can build resilience and adapt to the challenges of a changing climate, while also continuing to produce some of the world’s most prized and delicious coffees.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 1 AUGUST 2023
