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Building a Climate-Smart Coffee Region in Western Honduras

A transformative initiative is underway in Western Honduras, where coffee companies Julius Meinl, The J.M. Smucker Co., and Tchibo, in collaboration with the independent foundation Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS), are spearheading a project to establish a Climate-Smart Coffee Region (CSCR Honduras). This ambitious four-year venture runs from 2025 to 2029 and aims to uplift smallholder coffee farmers while preserving the ecological integrity of the area.

Project Goals and Scope

The CSCR Honduras project sets out to strengthen the livelihoods of approximately 4,000 smallholder families across 6,000 hectares of coffee farming land. The initiative also seeks to engage 20 farmer organizations, acknowledging that collaboration is key in overcoming the challenges posed by climate change. Central to the project is the commitment to restoring ecosystems alongside agricultural productivity, which is vital for the local communities.

Addressing Climate Vulnerability

The region is facing severe environmental challenges, including irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures that have led to decreased coffee yields by up to 30%. These impacts have compelled coffee cultivation to move into ecologically sensitive highland zones. According to Theresa Ruperti, HRNS Program Manager for this project, "Western Honduras is ecologically rich but increasingly vulnerable to climate change. By linking coffee productivity, community resilience, and ecosystem conservation, the CSCR Honduras project supports farmers' livelihoods while championing biodiversity."

Strategies for Transformation

The project builds on 15 years of field experience through the coffeeclimate initiative, utilizing expert knowledge to introduce proven climate adaptation tools. Some of these include:

• - Soil and water conservation techniques
• - Coffee agroforestry practices
• - Erosion control measures
• - Microclimate monitoring systems
• - Household innovations such as fuel-efficient stoves and water-saving devices

The goal is to shift vulnerable coffee landscapes into biodiverse, climate-resilient systems that not only safeguard livelihoods but also restore crucial ecosystems. Additionally, financial literacy, women's leadership, and youth entrepreneurship will become integral parts of this holistic approach.

Governance and Collaboration

A significant strength of the CSCR Honduras project is its governance model, facilitated by inter-municipal platforms that bring together municipalities, civil society, and local actors to work towards shared climate objectives. The Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE) will play a crucial technical role in training farmers, conducting research, and monitoring progress, ensuring that the project's implementations are effective and beneficial.

Carina Needham, Global Sustainability Director at Julius Meinl, expresses enthusiasm about the collaborative nature of the initiative, stating, "This project marks an exciting milestone for Julius Meinl as the first landscape initiative under our Generations Programme. What makes it truly distinctive is the spirit of collaboration behind it. We’re teaming up with other coffee roasters to tackle shared challenges through a pre-competitive, landscape-level strategy."

Conclusion

As CSCR Honduras progresses, it aims not only to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but also to position Western Honduras as a beacon for climate-smart and biodiversity-positive coffee farming in Central America. With structured monitoring and evaluation methodologies in place, including frameworks provided by Enveritas, the project is designed to learn and adapt as it moves forward, ensuring transparency and effectiveness.

Thus, this initiative is not just another agricultural project but a comprehensive approach to shaping a sustainable future for coffee communities, integrated environmental stewardship, and economic resilience in Honduras.