What is Sustainable Coffee Production?
Sustainable coffee is coffee that is developed and retailed for its sustainability. Organic coffee, the multilateral trade coffee, and Rainforest Alliance coffee are all considered as sustainable coffee. Sustainable coffee is approved by the people for the continuity of coffee production.
To know whether the coffee made is sustainable or not, it must conform to standards fixed by organisations and taking several points into account. The designated standards are the combinations of social, environmental and economic standards. Any coffee that meets these standards is considered sustainable coffee.
Why is Sustainable Coffee Production Important?
Coffee is important as one of the major export products in certain countries. People have been consuming coffee since the 9th century. However, because of its popularity, a lot of crises involving the social and economy have arisen due to the large consumption of coffee.
Many developing countries were keen to clear up their beautiful land to produce coffee. This has caused an uproar in the industry and a lot of developing countries.
To address the economic and social issues, sustainable coffee production has been introduced. Sustainable coffee has proven to be helpful for social and economic growth. More farmers benefit from the production of sustainable coffee, which is good news for countries depending heavenly on the agriculture industry.
Here are several affected areas and what sustainable coffee can do to help;
- Environment;
A wet process is needed in processing the coffee beans. The process uses large amounts of water and causing the wastewater to flood the wastewater management. The polluted wastewater will eventually flow back into large water sources like rivers and sea, which harms the environment.
By introducing sustainable coffee, we can reduce wastewater and the farmers can control and regulate the wastewater.
- Economic;
A lot of coffee-producing countries are facing poverty. The declining prices has a big impact, especially for farmers. As the growth of coffee plants require specific climates, farmers growing coffee in unsuitable climates face challenges in getting proper yield and quality.
The production of sustainable coffee has opened up a lot of new opportunities for coffee producers that face difficulty in handling the declining prices of the coffee. The production of organic coffee and the multilateral trade has helped the particular countries that are depending on the farming industry.
- Social;
The unstable coffee prices gave a lot of bad impact on the farmers. Their housing, food, education, healthcare, and other life basis were greatly affected by the declining prices.
The production of sustainable coffee has helped in maintaining the price. Several organisations have helped the farmers by funding and educating them about sustainable coffee production. In many ways, the introduction of sustainable coffee has helped coffee-producing countries.
How We Can All Play Our Part
As a consumer of coffee, we should do something to support sustainable coffee production. One move means the world to the farmers out there.
Here are some of the things that we can do in playing our role as a good coffee consumer;
- We can start by reducing the usage of disposable cups. The disposable cups play a big role in creating waste volume. The usage of a tumbler or your bottle is good in preventing the increase in waste volume.
- When you buy your favourite coffee, take one more move to read about its origin and farming method. You should start consuming sustainable coffee only.
- Show your supports in reading more about the movements of certain organisations in producing sustainable coffee. Your small step can help to change the world around you.
By reading this article, you are already one step ahead towards changing the world to become a better place for you and your loved ones. Visit foodpanda to find out more about food sustainability around you.