Brewing a Future: Crop Trust and Germany Safeguard Costa Rica's Coffee Heritage

3 December 2024

Recently, the world woke up to a collection of coffee at risk. The genebank at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica houses nearly 2,000 coffee varieties. Established 75 years ago, CATIE's International Coffee Collection is vital for researchers to develop coffee that is resilient to climate change.

When this valuable coffee diversity faced funding challenges in 2023, the Crop Trust and Germany stepped up and provided crucial support. In a collaborative effort to preserve global coffee diversity, the 500,000-euro Immediate Plant Genetic Resource Protection for Long-Term Sustainability project safeguarded the CATIE coffee collection.

This eight-month initiative was led by the Crop Trust and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), with support from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

Coffee holds significant cultural importance worldwide. In Germany, the cherished Kaffee und Kuchen tradition brings together friends and family for coffee and cake. Beyond its cultural value, coffee is a major economic driver, especially in tropical regions. Certain varieties, like robusta, are known for their drought tolerance, making them crucial in adapting to climate change.

The project set out to safeguard the CATIE collection’s future, making sure its treasures are protected and ready to be shared with generations yet to sip their first cup. Several milestones were achieved:

• A new field plot was established for over 160 coffee varieties.
• 400 varieties were propagated, including Coffea liberica, C. canephora, and older C. arabica varieties.
• Greenhouses and nurseries were upgraded to support the growth of grafted coffee plants.
• Drone surveys were conducted for detailed topographic planning and trees were cleared from the project site.
• Threatened coffee plants were systematically secured along with associated data for long-term conservation.

Concluding in July 2024, this project represents a significant step toward protecting the diversity of coffee. By conserving these resources, researchers and farmers are better equipped to develop coffee varieties that can withstand climate challenges. This ensures the Kaffee und Kuchen can continue for generations to come.

Categories: Coffee, Climate Change, Food Security, English