Small-scale Colombian coffee producers in the Sierra Nevada mountains are confronting the twin hurdles of climate change and new UK legislation aimed at halting illegal deforestation, threatening their livelihoods and the coffee farming tradition.
Small-scale coffee producers in Colombia, particularly in the Sierra Nevada mountains, are facing a dual challenge of climate change and potential market restrictions due to new UK legislation aimed at curbing illegal deforestation. This legislation, which prohibits UK businesses from selling products sourced from illegally deforested land, may adversely affect Colombian farmers by limiting their market access and imposing additional compliance costs.
Farmers like Yudis Camacho and Jaime Garcia Florez, who are already grappling with climate-induced changes such as unpredictable rainfall and increasing pests, are concerned about the financial burden of meeting these new regulations. The expenses required for compliance are notably high for small-scale producers, who already contend with falling coffee prices and the adverse effects of climate change, including a reported 35% decrease in coffee production over the past five years.
The Red Ecolsierra co-operative, representing farmers in the region, has pointed out that the costs associated with regulation compliance disproportionately impact smaller producers. This has prompted Fairtrade campaigners to call on the UK Government to ensure that any new measures support small producers’ ability to comply without jeopardizing their businesses. The campaigners argue for legislation that takes into account the needs of smallholder farmers and does not unduly burden them.
The Colombian coffee farmers are also exploring diversification into other crops, such as cocoa and honey, as a strategy to mitigate these challenges. Moreover, organizations like Red Ecolsierra are investing in support systems for farmers, including agroforestry, conservation projects, and educational opportunities, in hopes of sustaining the traditional coffee farming lifestyle amidst these threats.
The UK Government, for its part, has expressed a commitment to eliminating products linked to illegal deforestation from its supply chains, emphasizing its role in global efforts to combat environmental degradation. Nevertheless, the situation underscores the complexities of addressing climate change and environmental conservation while ensuring the economic viability of small-scale agriculture in global supply chains.
