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Pollinators are vital to coffee production. Without them, the coffee we enjoy could become scarce.
Bees and butterflies are essential to coffee farming, as they help with the pollination process needed for fruit formation.
By visiting coffee flowers to collect nectar, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, enabling the plants to produce fruit. While some coffee varieties, such as Arabica, can self-pollinate, pollinators are crucial for maximising yields and improving the quality of coffee beans.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that about 75% of global food crops depend on pollinators to some degree, including coffee.
However, climate change and intensive farming practices like deforestation and pesticide use are shrinking habitats and threatening pollinator populations. This decline could lead to reduced coffee yields, underscoring the importance of balancing sustainable farming with pollinators protection to ensure food security and ecosystem health.
Protecting the pollinators
At Slow, we're working to transform both our coffee farms and those of our partner smallholder farmers into thriving ecosystems by planting a variety of native trees and plants. This diversity helps keep pollinators interested in visiting. Growing coffee under tree canopies also shields the plants from excessive heat and creates a more suitable environment for heat-sensitive pollinators, such as bees.
Our agroforestry systems, which include trees that flower at different times, provide a consistent food source for bees. This not only supports pollinators but also boosts biodiversity, benefiting a broader range of wildlife.
Threats to pollinatorsSeveral things are putting pollinator populations in trouble, including: Habitat loss and fragmentation. Human activities such as deforestation, urbanisation and intensive agriculture are reducing the ability of essential resources for pollinators, such as flowers and nesting sites. Pollution. Pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants harm pollinators directly and weaken their ability to combat diseases. Pest and pathogens. Invasive species and diseases are decimating pollinator populations. Climate change.Shifting weather patterns and extreme weather events are disrupting pollinator life cycles and reducing food sources. Land-use change. The conversion of natural habitats into agricultural or developed land is depriving pollinators of crucial resources. |
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