Peru Coffee

Coffee Peru information sheet.pdf

In brief
This challenge seeks to improve soil fertility for coffee production on the eastern slopes of the Andes which have been impacted by deforestation. Whilst technologies exist to regenerate soil fertility, the solution to this challenge will be adaptable to the reality of small producers articulated to organic markets.

Background:
The cultivation of coffee is developed on the eastern slopes of the Andes between 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea level. In Peru there are about 150,000 small producers with farms ranging between 0.5 and 5 Ha. Producers are mostly migrants from the Andean parts of the country that have installed coffee under the shade of the species Inga (Leguminosae), which provides nitrogen.

Landscape is impacted by deforestation. There are extremely dry and wet seasons. The natural fertility of the soil has been lost by two factors:

- Agriculture without application of inputs to the soil.
- Insufficient coverage that protects the soil.

Forest coverage is being incorporated to protect soils; there are even programs for farmers that provide fertilizers such as nitrogen and phosphorus. However the quality of a cup of coffee is defined by micro-elements that are in quantities that are too small or where little land available in the small producer’s farms.

Although technologies exist to regenerate soil fertility, it is necessary to adapt it to the reality of small producers that are aiming for organic markets.

Environmental factors:
Soil Type: According to Soil taxonomy are entisols and vertisols. According to its production capacity the Peruvian agriculture department has classified it as F1Se and C3Se:

- F1Se: Soils suitable for forest production, high agrologic quality with limitations on susceptibility to erosion, the low availability of nutrients and acidity are extreme. Soil surface is moderately deep, thin to thick texture, good drainage and highly acidic reaction to moderately alkaline.
- C3se: Suitable for permanent cultivation with strong limitations due to low availability of nutrients, the acidity factor and the topography. Group deep soils on moderately deep texture thick and thin reaction to extremely acidic to neutral.

Rainfall patterns: 1000 mm (average)
Temperature: From 14 to 28 Celsius
Slope: 15 to 75%