Climate change and its mitigation in sustainable coffee production JOSEPH K KIMEMIA COFFEE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Climate change and its mitigation in sustainable coffee production JOSEPH K KIMEMIA COFFEE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Introduction Climate change is any substantial change in Earth s climate that lasts for an extended period of time. Global warming refers to climate change that causes an increase in the average temperature of the lower atmosphere. Solar radiation, temperature, and rainfall are the main drivers of crop growth. Agriculture is therefore highly dependent on climate patterns and variations.

Introduction Agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas which are responsible for global warming through: Carbon dioxide emissions linked to deforestation: where forests and woodlands are cleared to make room for fields and pastures (>90%). Methane emissions from rice cultivation and enteric fermentation in cattle (54%) Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer applications (80%)

Impact of Global Warming A shift in climate and agricultural zones towards the higher altitudes Changes in production patterns due to higher temperatures Changing precipitation patterns Increased vulnerability of the landless and the poor

Temperature at Ruiru 1945 2014 27 26.5 26 y = 0.0179x + 24.702 R² = 0.3274 degrees C 25.5 25 24.5 24 23.5 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Time in years

Temperature at Ruiru 1945 2014 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566 0.5 1 Time 1.5

Rainfall at Ruiru 1945 2014 800 600 400 Rainfll in mm 200 0 200 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152535455565758596061626364656667 400 600 Time in years

Number of rainy and stormy rainy days per year at Ruiru 1945 2014 140 6 120 5 No of Rainy Days per year 100 80 60 40 4 No of Stomy days per year 3 2 20 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Time 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 0

Effect of Climate Change on Coffee Growth, Yield and Quality Arabica coffee does better at a temperature range 15 0 C 24 0 C. Temperatures over 25 0 C reduce photosynthesis and above 30 0 C leaf damage occurs High soil temperatures increase the rate of evaporation and organic matter breakdown. This will lead to poor soil structure and increased susceptibility to erosion.

Effect of Climate Change on Coffee Growth, Yield and Quality Stormy rains interrupt coffee flowering, cause hail damage, flooding and destroy the infrastructure. The changes in the rainy season will cause major problems for drying and processing reducing quality and consequential marketability of the coffee

Effect of Climate Change on Coffee Growth, Yield and Quality Erratic rainfall results in random flowering, with flowers and berries at different stages of growth being on the same primary branch CBD is favoured by high precipitation becomes more severe

Effect of Climate Change on Coffee Growth, Yield and Quality Coffee Leaf Rust that is favoured by high temperatures becomes more prevalent CLR affects coffee in high altitude areas

Effect of Climate Change on Coffee Growth, Yield and Quality Change in temperature will affect insect pest dynamics Minor pests may become major e.g. thrips that are favoured by hot dry weather

Effect of Climate Change on Coffee Growth, Yield and Quality Change in temperature will affect insect pest dynamics Minor pests may become major e.g. scales that are favoured by hot dry weather

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Reforestation and Conservation

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Planting Shade Trees Shade reduces the air temperature by about 4 0 C at midday Shade evens out flowering reducing biennial bearing, overproduction and die back Trees take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it within the plant. The litter from the leaf fall conserves soil moisture & reduces weed growth

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Construction of biogas plants Methane gas is the most potent greenhouse gas produced by fermentation in cow s stomach Instead of being released to the atmosphere it is collected and used for lighting and cooking (reduces use of firewood, charcoal and paraffin) The slurry is used as organic manure

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Planting of improved disease resistant varieties Reduces yield and quality loss from disease attack Reduces use of pesticides which pollute the environment

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Soil and water conservation Conserve all the rainy water by forking, digging terraces before coffee establishment

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Soil and water conservation Conserve all the rainy water by forking, digging terraces and stabilizing them with grass strips

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Soil and water conservation Conserve all the rainy water by mulching which also prevents soil erosion Other include Forking Water harvesting in the farm, homes and factories

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Soil and water conservation Pruning and handling to remove unnecessary growth that consume water/nutrients without producing Other include Forking Water harvesting in the farm, homes and factories

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Small holder irrigation

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies: Way Forward Growing coffee in new high altitude areas? Development of heat tolerant varieties? Development of insect pest tolerant varieties? Alternate coffee processing? Other uses of coffee e.g. perfume from the flowers, coffee oil?