2024-10-04 00:48:46
‘La traviesa’ is in danger: Coffee growers in northern Huila. The strong temperatures and the absence of rain have endangered ‘the traviesa’ in the coffee plantations of northern Huila. Coffee growers assure that climatic conditions lower the quality of the grain and increase the proliferation of the borer.
DIARIO DEL HUILA, PANORAM
By: Gustavo Patino
‘La traviesa’ is in danger: Coffee growers in northern Huila. Although the coffee harvest season is about to begin in the south of Huila and, as reported by the authorities, very good results are expected, the coffee growers in the north of the department are going through very difficult times. The season of less rain, which was connected with the El Niño phenomenon, in addition to affecting the harvest at the beginning of the year, has at risk the ‘trasión’, a secondary harvest with which they hoped to compensate the income from the main production.
Álvaro Garzón Villaneda, owner of a farm in the Patía village of the municipality of Baraya, describes the seriousness of the situation: “At this moment, the coffee plantations are withered due to the summer situation, poor quality coffees are already emerging. One hopes that on the journey at least a third of what the harvest was can be harvested, but it seems that this year the poor quality is going to mean that we will not be able to recover much,” he says. His testimony reflects a reality experienced by many coffee growers in the region, who see how drought and extreme temperatures deteriorate both the quantity and quality of the coffee bean.
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great concern
José Ignacio Cruz Aragonés, a member of the Huila Coffee Growers Committee in the northern zone, also shares his concern: “The summer has been shorter, but it has also been more intense, and at this moment some coffees are coming out that are too vain.” Cruz highlights that, in the low areas, where conditions were already marginal for coffee cultivation, the impact has been devastating: “There are some areas in the lowest part that have lost between 80% and 90% of the crossing. ”.
Both testimonies highlight not only the immediate effects of the drought, but also the long-term economic consequences for the region’s coffee farmers, many of whom depend on the journey to balance losses from the main crop. Traversing, which has historically allowed farmers to improve their annual yield, is in danger of losing its relevance due to the effects of climate change.
The weather on the rise
The extreme weather conditions described by coffee growers are not an isolated phenomenon. According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), the average temperature in Colombia has increased between 0.8 and 1 degree Celsius in the last two decades. This increase, although seemingly small, has a considerable impact on agricultural production systems, especially on sensitive crops such as coffee.
Arabica coffee, the variety that predominates in Huila, is particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature and precipitation. This type of coffee requires very specific conditions for its optimal development, including temperatures between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius and a stable water regime. However, with the increase in temperatures and variability in rainfall, the natural cycles of flowering and ripening of coffee are altered. Plants suffer water stress, which reduces production and affects grain quality. Cruz explains that “by not having water, the coffee remains very small and it sways when we pour it into water because it lacks a filling part.”
Unfavorable conditions
The situation is even worse in low-lying and marginal areas, where unfavorable climatic conditions are combined with less fertile soils. Although in the past, climatic phenomena such as La Niña allowed these areas to remain productive, the current El Niño Phenomenon has reversed that situation, leaving coffee growers in an extremely precarious position.
José Ignacio Cruz points out: “The El Niño phenomenon intensified and at this moment some coffees are coming out that are too vain, that is, without the required quality. The drill bit has shot up very high here in this area.” This increase in drill bit is one of the most serious consequences of high temperatures. The borer finds a favorable environment for its proliferation in hot, dry climates, and the lack of water resources makes its control difficult.
Decreased coffee quality
Coffee is one of the most important products in the Colombian economy, and in regions such as northern Huila, it represents the main source of income for thousands of families. However, the extension of the dry season not only affects the yield of the crossing, but also puts the main harvest at risk, which aggravates the economic crisis in the sector.
Álvaro Garzón illustrates this clearly by pointing out that “the problem is not so much that production goes down, but rather the price of coffee. The coffee goes bad, so they will pay cheaply.” This loss of quality not only affects the competitiveness of coffee farmers, but also significantly reduces their income. In a context where production costs continue to increase, many coffee farmers find it difficult to cover their basic expenses, which compromises the long-term sustainability of their farms.
In regions where small producers do not have access to irrigation systems or adaptation technologies, the outlook is even bleaker. “Some managed to irrigate the coffee plantations, but the majority could not and the losses have been enormous,” says Cruz, who also highlights that the higher areas have had better performance, while the lower areas have suffered losses of up to 90%. of production.
Urgent request for support
Faced with this situation, José Ignacio Cruz and other coffee growers in the region are requesting the implementation of urgent measures to mitigate the effects of the drought and help farmers cope with the losses. One of the most notable proposals is the expansion of the Agricultural Assistance Fund (Falla), a program that subsidizes the purchase of inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides for the most affected farmers. Although this fund is already being implemented in some municipalities such as Tello and Baraya, coffee growers are asking that it be extended to the entire region.
“We were in a discussion with some parliamentarians… and we asked that the Falla not only be carried out in Tello and Baraya, but in the entire department,” says Cruz, who highlights that this help has been essential so that some coffee growers could acquire inputs. at lower prices. However, Cruz also recognizes that the Falla, as currently proposed, is not enough. “The Falla has served a lot… but unfortunately there was no rain… more than one has saved the fertilizer for when it rains.”
Increase Fault
Cruz and other coffee leaders request that the percentage of subsidy offered by Falla be increased, from the current 30% to a higher percentage, which allows coffee growers to better face the climate crisis. This call reflects the urgency for structural measures that address not only the immediate consequences of the drought, but also prepare the sector to face the long-term challenges of climate change.
In addition to Falla, coffee growers in northern Huila also ask that irrigation and technical assistance programs be implemented that allow them to adapt to new climatic conditions. Without access to water resources and adaptive technologies, losses will continue to increase, putting not only coffee production at risk, but also the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on this activity.