Early Warning System for Coffee Rust (EWS)

Executive Summary

From a socioeconomic point of view, coffee in Central America represents one of the most important items in the agricultural sector. There are around 958,000 hectares of coffee plantations in the region, with an approximate population of 2 million people, if we consider the members of producer families and other actors in the coffee value chain who participate in processing, exportation, roasting, etc. In addition, the entry of foreign currency into the region for coffee exports totals more than 3 billion USD per year, and as such contributes to the economic and social stability of the region.

In Central America and the Caribbean, more than 70% of coffee growers are smallholders. Coffee rust has had serious repercussions on the income level of producer families, such as those suffered in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns, where losses due to the impact of rust were between 15 and 20 % of the production. The purpose of this project is to develop a Regional Early Warning System (REWS) that will help prevent and mitigate the damage caused by coffee rust.

The technological solution

The REWS will contribute to preventing and mitigating the impact of rust in the region, integrating climatic, phytosanitary, phenological and economic variables, allowing adequate agronomic management in time.

Results

Beneficiaries

350 thousand coffee producing families in the countries where the Regional Early Warning System (REWS) would be implemented.

Sustainable Development Goals

Main donors

Dissemination products