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c Cover Story

abandoned farm can contaminate the surrounding
farms. Some organizations do help the farmers, but
not enough is being done in the smaller producing
countries. If a farmer is a member of a co-op, there is
greater chance of them receiving finance, equipment
and technical assistance to fight the any troubles.

Generation Gap
Education
Even though the farm knowledge is much better
Growing coffee is a hard work that gets more dif- now than 20 year ago, there is still the question: how
ficult by the year. Producers cannot keep up with the and to who farmers should pass their craft and knowl-
climate changing especially without special educa- edge? There is a new emerging “millennial” generation
tional programs. “I think you cannot point out the one that may not be interested in farming coffee that their
responsible in the whole coffee chain: everyone is re- parents generation are currently managing. In Latin
sponsible,” says Teresa Fan from Volcafe. The com- America, many younger people do not see a future in
pany hires local farmers to train them, giving them farming. This was taken up at the Producers Forum in
coffee plantation skills: how to analyze the soil, how Colombia a couple months back. Hard economically
to chose your variety, what is the best, including pick- unsafe work cannot attract young farmers to continue
ing, sorting, drying and even how to do the parchment. path of their parents. What would it take to make cof-
After the training the farmers are responsible for pass- fee farming attractive again? The best way to draw
ing the knowledge and train others in their region. This more young people back to farms is to pay more
way they have a good job and they develop their craft money for coffee, provide opportunities to grow and
and help other people to improve, being co-responsible. be proud of what product they do, this pride can come
“And we have a lot of examples of people studying and from producing a specialty product. There is the de-
then going back home to help their families to earn mand for traceable coffees and a better understanding
more money even with similar weather, similar attitude of sustainability from the market, meaning there is a
and similar variety. The key is the knowledge. We do living in the business of farming. The specialty sector,
not train or hire farmers for charity, the better coffee and being able to craft a coffee flavor are all aspects
farmers do the more profit everyone gains. And it is of helping to bring the younger generation back to
also our interest to give them more knowledge of that,” their family farm. But of course, one must not forget
adds Teresa. New methods of farming and farmer train- price – the young family members can only come back/
ing are critical for any true advancement. Farmers stay on the farms if the farm provides a living for them,
need to follow advice, and ensure they use and that means we as consumers must pay a sustain-
the right methods for their farms. They able price, with fair trading practices to ensure
also need to work together, as one we have a supply of quality coffee.

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