Usapang Kape: Regenerative Agriculture for a Sustainable and Resilient Coffee Industry

Soil has been described as “the fragile, living skin of the Earth” and how it is treated can impact climate change. Some practices in the agriculture sector are not sustainable in the long run, leading to decline in soil quality, deforestation, desertification, and depletion of natural resources. This requires a change in practices to address environmental issues, improve the planet’s ecosystems, and ensure sustainability in the long run.

Regenerative agriculture is an innovation strategy that can help combat climate change impacts. It is defined as ‘an approach to farming that uses soil conservation as the entry point to regenerate and contribute to multiple provisioning, regulating and supporting ecosystem services, with the objective that this will enhance not only the environment, but also the social and economic dimensions of sustainable food production’. At its core, regenerative agriculture aims to rehabilitate deteriorated soil and improve soil health, which benefits water quality, vegetation, and land production (Rhodes, 2017).

Regenerative Agriculture in the Philippines is still relatively new, with most farmers having limited knowledge on its potential benefits to improve productivity, and eventually income and food security. One of the key players in the agriculture sector, Nestlé Philippines, Inc. is helping build the resilience of Filipino coffee farmers through regenerative agriculture.

Through the NESCAFÉ Plan program, Nestlé works closely with coffee farmers and their communities, the national and local governments, development agencies, and other partners to promote a comprehensive regenerative agriculture model that protects the three key resources of any agricultural system: soil, water, and biodiversity. Nestlé has previously introduced regenerative agriculture to coffee farmers who were provided with training and technical assistance through their Project Coffee+ and Farmer’s Business School to help them transition to regenerative coffee farming practices with four key components, namely cover crops, composting, intercropping, and agroforestry.

PPSA
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Nestlé
https://www.nestle.com.ph/
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