In a project here, we worked with Juan to transform the farm from a monoculture to a biodiverse garden. This project has now been running for over 10 years and was made possible through our collaboration with you – our customers and partners.
This shows that, contrary to popular opinion, something can be done. Our purchasing decisions have a real impact on the conditions at the source. Fixed purchase guarantees and fair prices give farmers planning security, and joint investments distribute the burden more broadly.
Previously, the driveway to Hacienda El Encanto offered an unobstructed view of a green desert. At the time the photo was taken, work was already underway to transform the area into a more biodiverse space.
Monocultures, due to their lack of biodiversity, not only lead to accelerated climate change but are also a nightmare for all animal life. Insects, birds, bees, etc., suffer particularly.
Soil health is a key problem in monocultures. Due to a monomeric root system, the soil has poor water and nutrient retention capacity. Furthermore, occasional landslides occur, which can endanger not only the farm's economic situation but also human lives.
Irrigation and fertilization pose a major environmental problem in agriculture. Farmers who rely on monocultures are particularly affected by these problems. This not only burdens the environment but also puts a strain on farmers' finances.
Diversification was further promoted by Mondo del Caffè's shade tree program starting in 2015. This program combines trees, shrubs, and agricultural crops, potentially increasing farmers' incomes. However, in our case, these food sources are made available to the farm workers, ensuring they receive even more of their already sufficient wages.
The complex root system resulting from diversified planting creates a soil with good retention capacity, making the slopes where the coffee is grown less susceptible to landslides caused by erosion. Furthermore, the soils are not as easily washed away and are therefore better suited for agricultural crops.
At the beginning of the transformation, the coffee bushes were constantly exposed to the sun. This causes stress in the coffee plant, leading to a reduction in harvest yields.
The plantation's layout as a biodynamic, three-tiered area with shade trees ensures a pleasant and temperate climate for the coffee plants. This allows for a comparable coffee harvest despite the smaller number of plants. The complex system of forest gardens fosters biodiversity from the ground to the canopy.
Many different birds make their home in the tall trees of Hacienda El Encanto, which you'll notice as soon as you enter the farm. The buzzing and humming of the insects also makes the hacienda's presence impossible to ignore. And you'll soon be confronted with the beneficial creatures of the plantation, at the very latest, with your first bite.
The farm's biodiverse design protects the environment not only because it provides a natural habitat for all kinds of animals, but also through the direct CO2 sequestration by the trees in the soil. This also contributes to the farm's sustainability.
Since 2023/2024, the transformation of Hacienda El Encanto into a biodiverse garden plantation has been virtually complete. This is a win-win situation for everyone: for nature, the farmer, us as a coffee roaster, and you as our customer. Ultimately, we can enjoy our coffee reliably and sustainably.
