Cooxupé launches Regenerative Coffee Farming Project

Cooxupé has launched the Regenerative Coffee Farming Project that supports its members in the implementation of ecological corridors inside coffee crops. In principle, the initiative connects science, tradition and innovation, bringing sustainability to the field without compromising neither yield or profits.

Yet, the Project begins with 20 farmers selected to receive technical follow-up, customized advice and support in all steps. In turn, each crop will have specific models of corridors, considering the reality of each farm.

Ecological Corridors

Natalia Fernandes Carr, Cooxupé’s Manager of ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance – said that the ecological corridors will be composed by trees and bushes in the border of the plots and, when possible, 01 row of trees for each 11 rows of coffee plants within the system. Furthermore, the farmer will actively participate in the selection of trees, including fruit, timber and native species and plants that attract pollinators and natural enemies. 

“The plants promote ecosystem services, as biological control of pests and pollination, and also species that add economic value to the crop, from either wood or fruits,” Ms. Carr informs.

Additionally, Cooxupé had already been recommending generative practices like the use of resistant cultivars, groundcover plants between rows, and use of composts and biological inputs. However, the distinguishing feature of the new project lies in the management and pruning of ecological corridors.

According to Ms. Carr, the positive impacts are clear: enhance of microclimate, healthier plants and higher quality of coffee beans. Besides, there are also financial gains. “it brings savings and resilience by the lower use of pesticides, lower need for irrigation, better protection against extreme weather conditions, access to sustainable rural credit, diversification of income, and generation of revenue with carbon credits,” the ESG Manager points out. 

Partners and implementation

Therefore, the project brings strategic partners together. Cooxupé acts in the field developing sustainable practices. EPAMIG (Agricultural Research Enterprise of Minas Gerais) leads the scientific base and design of ecological corridors. In turn, Clima Café de Floresta, GrowGrounds and Löfbergs co-operate with monitoring, environmental certification and management of carbon credits.

Conclusively, GrowGrounds connects the farmers to Löfbergs, that is committed to acquire carbon credits generated by the project, ensuring safety and financial return to c-op members.

Regenerative coffee farmning

In short, it is a model of production that seeks the regeneration of the soil, conservation of biodiversity and boost agricultural systems facing climate challenges.

Cooxupé has been recommending practices like:

• The use of cultivars resistant to pests and diseases.
• Implementation of groundcover plants, like braquiária grass or mix of plants.
• The use of biological inputs, composts, straw-based fertilizer and biological control of pests.

With the new project, the co-op advances and promotes the planting of trees within the crops, forming ecological corridors that sum sustainability, innovation and competitiveness.