Peru Feb Tree Report

COFFEE TREE REPORT
FEBRUARY 2014
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Sr. Alfredo Gregorio Sanchez
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After the pruning, new sprigs
of plant are sprouting from the
old trunk
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Sr. Andres Nuñez
The cherry is forming
uniformly on the branches
Update from Arnaldo
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!Changing climate in the past few years have created variations in temperature and rainfall in the coffee producing zones of Peru. This has affected the stages of development of the coffee plants in different regions. Historically, stages such as =lowering, development of beans, and harvesting were at recognized times of the year, and calendars were shared to show the months that coincided with these stages. Climate change has rendered these old systems obsolete. Before, for example, the development of the coffee bean always occurred from November to March. Now, some zones go through this stage from January to April. !And yet, a true understanding of what time of year corresponds to which stage of the coffee life cycle on a farm is extremely important for a coffee producer. They need to know when their plants are going through these phases to be able to administer the proper care to their plants. To get the highest quality and yield, extremely attention needs to be paid to the stages of development of the coffee plants on a given plot. !Each coffee-­‐growing region is different, and some are more affected by climate change than others. It is clear that a one-­‐size-­‐=its-­‐all coffee life cycle calendar for Peru will not suf=ice for all of the producers we work with. What the producers need is a life cycle calendar that applies speci=ically to what is happening on their farm. Then, they can apply the proper cultivation techniques at the right times during the year. Moreover, a personalized calendar is customizable, meaning that if a producer observes a shift in climate that affects the life cycle of their plants, they can easily update their calendar, and thus their farming practices, to coincide with the new rhythms. !This month I trained 150 producers from Casil how to create their own life cycle calendar. They proceeded to create them based on the conditions speci=ic to their farm. The calendars are month-­‐
to-­‐month, and provide a comprehensive view of what farm practices should be done during which months, from planting seeds to weeding, to pruning, harvesting, and more. Sr. Alfredo Gregorio has been working on his land using a work plan that he created with the support of Sustainable Harvest with Café Moto, Franke, and the Peru Opportunity Fund. His plan has been updated to re=lect changes in climate which have affected the life cycle of his coffee plants. With his new plan, he provides proper care and fertilization at the right times of the year. He has 3.5 hectares of coffee, with the varieties of Catimor, Caturra, and Tipica. His projection for this harvest season is 28 or 30 quintales per hectare. !Read on to see the work that Alfredo Gregorio and Andres Nuñez have done to make their own life cycle calendars !Until next month, Arnaldo Quispe Janampa Specialty Coffee Agronomist Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers 721 NW 9th Avenue Suite 350 Portland, Oregon 97209 503-235-1119
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Update from Sr. Alfredo Gregorio
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“ I see now that my coffee is well cared for. I am continuing with fumigations in accordance with my work plan, for this I am using organic biofertilizers that I learned how to make during the Escuela de Campo in 2013. I’m noting a favorable change in the color of my coffee leaves as a result. I am convinced that if I work according to my plan, I will continue increasing productivity and bettering the quality of my coffee. I’ll be able to demonstrate to my fellow Casil members that if we do this type of work at the right time, we can have huge results, which will help us better our quality of life. “
721 NW 9th Avenue Suite 350 Portland, Oregon 97209 503-235-1119
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Update from Andres
Nunez
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721 NW 9th Avenue Suite 350 Portland, Oregon 97209 503-235-1119