Costa Rica coffee is produced on coffee plantations that conserve the ecosystems and wildlife and have a high biological diversity. Various species of trees are planted adjacent to the coffee plants to provide 20% to 50% shade. These shade trees provide many environmental benefits. The decomposed leaves produce organic matter that replenish the soil. Mature shade trees provide deep root systems that hold soils in place, helping to reduce erosion on steep-sloped plantations. And, the shade trees mimic natural forest and provide wildlife habitat.
Some of the shade trees planted are citrus, bananas and palm trees which provide a ready source of food and/or income to farmers when harvested during periods when coffee is not being harvested.
Costa Rica coffee is produced with minimal application of fertilizers and pesticides. With shade trees, there is little need to use of fertilizers and pesticides (an expensive commodity). Besides, the Costa Rica National Commission on Organic Agriculture (created by Costa Rica law) promotes coffee crop production using the least amount of agrochemicals.
Costa Rica is commited to protecting its 31% forest reserve areas. Costa Rica coffee plantations, considered second most important to its tropical forests, help clean the air by removing poisonous carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other pollutants.
The use of water at Costa Rican processing coffee plants is limited. The pulp from leftover waste is used as an organic fertilizer. The shell is burned to generate energy required for the drying process of the bean. The use of decomposed coffee tree underbrush is used as a source of organic fertilizer.
Costa Rica's coffee sector is committed to resource conservation, protecting the environment and responding to the challenge of climate change, while at the same time being commercially competitive and producing high quality coffee beans. |
