The Next Wave of Coffee Producers

The coffee production industry is mainly sustained by experienced and knowledgeable older farmers who reside in coffee-growing regions. These smallholder farmers constitute a majority of coffee producers, and their farming practices involve cultivating coffee on small plots of land that are typically less than a hectare in size. 

These dedicated farmers possess a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry, and their hard work and commitment ensure the production of high-quality coffee that is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.

Coffee production has been a longstanding tradition in many regions, with older individuals typically at the forefront of cultivating coffee plants in small plots. However, it is concerning that younger generations are not actively engaged in this vital industry. 

As the older population ages, they may find it increasingly challenging to sustain the demanding nature of coffee production. It is crucial to encourage and involve young people in coffee growing to ensure the continuity and sustainability of this essential sector. 

Joseph Ndegwa is a veteran coffee farmer from the Eastern Kenya region and says, “Actually, there are several reasons for the current state of coffee production. Mainly because farming is not attractive to the youth, we the elders are left with no choice but to continue toiling in the farms”.

Despite facing challenges such as volatile market prices and climate change, these dedicated farmers continue to work tirelessly to ensure a steady supply of coffee. Their deep knowledge of traditional farming techniques passed down through generations, plays a crucial role in maintaining the high quality and unique flavors of the coffee they produce. 

In addition to being skilled agriculturalists, many of these farmers are also active members of their local communities, contributing to the social and economic well-being of the regions where they live.

Joseph adds, “You should also know that most of the traditional coffee owners did not want to leave the farms in the hands of their children until it’s too late. Especially the male land owners, they couldn’t bear the thought of inheritance while they’re alive!”.

The elders’ unwillingness to pass on their coffee farms to their children has significantly contributed to the decline in interest among the youth in coffee production. The youth feel that as a result of this, they are not competent enough to run the business which has led them to other ventures.

Furthermore, young people who consider entering into the coffee industry are often deterred by the unfairness and lack of equal opportunities in the sector. The labor-intensive nature of coffee production coupled with relatively low financial returns further dissuades the youth from pursuing this line of work.

Rafael Hernandez is a youthful coffee farmer who belongs to a collective in Colombia. He says that the new generation of young people does not want to “dirty their hands” in pursuit of a better life. “Many young people coming from schools all have a dream of making it in the big cities and towns and immediately they leave the countryside or schools, they migrate to the towns for easier money!”

Ushering in a new wave of coffee producers.

The coffee industry is witnessing a new wave of coffee producers who are bringing a fresh perspective to the art of coffee farming. This new generation of coffee farmers and regions is quickly gaining recognition as key players in the global coffee industry. 

Rafael says, “But of course all things change and the coffee sector is no different! There are quite a number of younger guys who are venturing into coffee farming and it is a great thing to experience. In this area alone, we have over 15 farms being run by guys younger than 35!”

These producers are making their mark by producing high-quality, unique, and sustainable coffee that caters to evolving consumer preferences and the growing demand for specialty coffee. With an eye for innovation, these coffee producers are introducing new techniques.

They are introducing revolutionary cultivation techniques, processing methods, and roasting styles to produce exceptional coffee that stands out in the crowded coffee market. All these efforts are meant to be in line with consumer demands and market changes.

They are also prioritizing sustainable farming practices, including ethical sourcing, fair trade, and environmental conservation, which are becoming increasingly important to coffee consumers.

Jakub Sawe is a young coffee farmer from Malawi and says, “The problem facing coffee farmers is not treating their coffee farming as a business enterprise with profits and losses, overheads and obligations. For us here, we understood this from the start and are adapting to this ethos”.

Jakub explains that they are not relying on the traditional coffee calendars where every activity was mapped out monthly and farmers followed this schedule to the letter. This schedule worked well back then, but due to unpredictable weather patterns and climate change, this schedule has been deemed redundant.

Farming and harvesting seasons have changed tremendously to the point where some regions are only getting one season per year. In line with this, these producers are relying more on technology to predict weather patterns and adapt accordingly.

Joseph says, “We knew that from May to July we had the fly crop back then, now it can even be in February! That’s how much climate change is affecting coffee production and if farmers don’t understand this, they will suffer a big bit. It is important to educate them accordingly”.

A hallmark of the new wave of producers is the varieties and production styles they are employing. Traditional coffee varieties have very good cups but that’s as far as their advantages go. They are extremely susceptible to pests, diseases, and weather pattern changes and are costly to maintain.

Jakub explains, “We had the SL varieties and they are really troublesome especially when there’s an outbreak of diseases such as CBD, We have lost whole seasons to this damaging disease! To counter this, we’ve had to graft them with the newer varieties that are way more resistant such as Ruiru and Batian”.

Technology is also playing a huge role in modern coffee production. The new wave of producers is spending a significant amount of time researching more effective and efficient ways to produce coffee and process it. Due to the varying weather conditions, it is important to accurately predict the patterns to adapt the crops accordingly.

Rafael says, “We have farming applications that can predict the weather for quite a time ahead that helps us in knowing what to do with the coffee and prepare the farms. This has been very vital to our operations because if we rely on the old ways, we will get into a lot of trouble especially because of the weather”.

These farmers have totally revolutionized the processing sector. Long gone are the days when washed coffees and natural processing were the mainstay. Now we have very scientific and advanced processing techniques. Lactic fermentation, carbonic maceration, infrared spectroscopy, infusion, and anaerobic fermentation are the new kids on the block and are steadily gaining popularity.

Rafael adds, “Sustainability is key in our sector and processing takes a great part in this. This is why we don’t pulp our coffees because this method uses a lot of labor, water, and time and is very sensitive. We are all natural now”.

Jakub concurs and adds that they have been experimenting with various processing methods that have borne positive fruits. He adds that even the coffee is now getting more orders than before and the prices quoted are much better now than during the days of washed coffee.

As a result, this next wave of coffee producers is not only transforming the coffee industry but also raising the bar for what it means to produce high-quality coffee. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality is helping to shape the future of coffee, and we can expect to see more exciting developments from them in the years to come.

Looking forward in coffee production.

Jakub is hopeful that the coffee industry is in good hands with the new wave of producers. “Young farmers are aware of all the changes in the climate and regulations in the coffee industry and therefore are adapting accordingly. I can say that the future does look bright”, he adds.

The emergence of coffee trading platforms has coincided with the emergence of a new wave of producers. The producers are now concentrating more on producing high-quality coffee instead of worrying about exposure to the markets and clients.

This has had a positive impact on the general coffee industry. Buyers can get in touch with their suppliers directly, make orders, order samples and even exchange scores. Platforms such as AGnimble are making the journey easier for these young producers who are wholly embracing technology as an integral part of coffee production.

With this new wave of producers, the coffee industry can finally achieve equality among all stakeholders in the value chain. These producers are aware of the inner workings of the coffee industry and are thus able to adjust and adapt. It is virtually impossible to deny them their dues as they understand all the requirements and the value of their coffee.

These emerging coffee producers are not only bringing unique flavor profiles to the global coffee market but are also implementing environmentally friendly practices and focusing on the social impact of coffee production. They are driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what specialty coffee can be, making them the next wave of coffee producers.