Colombian coffee is not only going through a good moment in terms of production, but it is also implementing measures to maintain profitability and productivity with the creation of new grain varieties, resilient to the effects of climate change.
(See: Minhacienda confirmed the intention for Colombia to join the Brics bank)
Germán Bahamón, general manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers, mentioned at the 88th Coffee Summit that There are important variables for the country to continue growing in terms of productivity.
An example of this is maintaining young capital so that there is productivity and for that, crop renewal is needed. At this moment, this indicator is reaching 90,000 renewed hectares. “More than 10% of our capital is going to be renewed this year,” he assured.
(Read more: Coffee export is key to the growth of Colombian foreign trade)
On the other hand, the helmsman of the coffee growers added that the focus of the Federation is the generation of demand, so the objective is to reach new territories and moments of consumption.. This, as long as quality is taken as a basis, which is the added value of Colombian grain.
“They ask us all for consistency in rates and consistency comes from ensuring the entire process and only handing over the responsibility to 552,000 families. Today we want to ensure quality with consistency, to be custodians of coffee quality. That is why we propose cherry coffee purchasing centers to promote associativity and cooperatives.”, he assured.
(See also: The growth of Colombian coffee production continues)
cherry coffee
Courtesy
He explained that coffee has 842,000 hectares cultivated, so sustainability in production processes becomes part of the sector’s agenda. He exemplified that today almost 80% of the production chain is wasted, Therefore, they foresee an opportunity to generate products through the waste left by this process.
(Read: The new sustainable bet for coffee, according to Fedecafeteros)
“Pulp has a huge opportunity, taking advantage of the circular economy must be a reality in Colombia, so that we take advantage of that 80% of the product for the benefit of the industry, employment and the posterity of our coffee growers.”, he mentioned.
Another point that the manager highlighted is based on taking advantage of the competitive advantages that the country has in terms of nearshoring. Faced with this, he explained that today there are 3,372 kilometers from Colombia to New York, so in 3 days a grain ship could arrive at that destination. “I told all large industrialists and traders to invest in Colombia and bring their transformation investments,” he said.
(See more: The Café San Alberto brand reinforces its omnichannel strategy)
Germán Bahamón, general manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers
Courtesy
New varieties
The manager announced that Cenicafé is already implementing in the Colombian countryside the new variety of seed that they named ‘Castillo 2.0’, variety that will prevent a possible attack of a plague that has not reached Colombia, which is CBD.
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“It has 40 improved lines, 9 crosses and 6 parents within which we have the possibility of giving rate, which is always our number one objective, but also resilience to weather phenomena and protection in some way from pests, resistance to rust and CBD”, he highlighted.
