Christopher M Bacon, V. Ernesto Mendez, Stephen R Gliessman, David Goodman, and Jonathan A Fox (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262026338
- eISBN:
- 9780262267526
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262026338.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
Our morning cups of coffee connect us to a global industry and, also, to an export crisis in the tropics that is destroying livelihoods, undermining the cohesion of families and communities, and ...
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Our morning cups of coffee connect us to a global industry and, also, to an export crisis in the tropics that is destroying livelihoods, undermining the cohesion of families and communities, and threatening ecosystems. This book explores the crisis facing small-scale coffee farmers of Mexico and Central America, the political economy of the global coffee industry, the coffee producers’ response to this crisis, and the initiatives that claim to promote more sustainable rural development among coffee-producing communities. The contributors review the historical, political, economic, and agroecological processes involved in today’s coffee industry and analyze the severely depressed export market that small-scale growers in Mexico and Central America encounters. The book presents a series of interdisciplinary case studies showing how small-scale farmers manage ecosystems and organize collectively as they seek useful collaboration with international NGOs and coffee companies to create opportunities for themselves in the coffee market. The findings demonstrate the interconnections between the livelihoods of farmers, biodiversity, conservation, and changing coffee markets. Additional chapters examine alternative trade practices, certification, and eco-labeling, and discuss the politics and market growth of organic, shade-grown, and Fair Trade coffees.Less
Our morning cups of coffee connect us to a global industry and, also, to an export crisis in the tropics that is destroying livelihoods, undermining the cohesion of families and communities, and threatening ecosystems. This book explores the crisis facing small-scale coffee farmers of Mexico and Central America, the political economy of the global coffee industry, the coffee producers’ response to this crisis, and the initiatives that claim to promote more sustainable rural development among coffee-producing communities. The contributors review the historical, political, economic, and agroecological processes involved in today’s coffee industry and analyze the severely depressed export market that small-scale growers in Mexico and Central America encounters. The book presents a series of interdisciplinary case studies showing how small-scale farmers manage ecosystems and organize collectively as they seek useful collaboration with international NGOs and coffee companies to create opportunities for themselves in the coffee market. The findings demonstrate the interconnections between the livelihoods of farmers, biodiversity, conservation, and changing coffee markets. Additional chapters examine alternative trade practices, certification, and eco-labeling, and discuss the politics and market growth of organic, shade-grown, and Fair Trade coffees.
Christopher M. Bacon, V. Ernesto Méndez, and Jonathan A. Fox
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262026338
- eISBN:
- 9780262267526
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262026338.003.0014
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
This chapter discusses the relationship and interconnections among changing the livelihoods of farmers, initiatives for sustainable coffee, and the production of shade-grown coffee. It examines the ...
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This chapter discusses the relationship and interconnections among changing the livelihoods of farmers, initiatives for sustainable coffee, and the production of shade-grown coffee. It examines the advantages and opportunities for farmers and producers engaged in coffee certification and diversification programs. The role of Fair Trade and organic networks in creating awareness of biodiversity conservation, the social and environment costs of coffee systems, and the need for supporting small farmers are also discussed. The methods to increase accountability and improve the efficiency of coffee cooperatives are presented in this chapter, as are the importance of understanding the sustainability initiatives and their implications for the regulators, along with the use of land patterns for coffee cultivation.Less
This chapter discusses the relationship and interconnections among changing the livelihoods of farmers, initiatives for sustainable coffee, and the production of shade-grown coffee. It examines the advantages and opportunities for farmers and producers engaged in coffee certification and diversification programs. The role of Fair Trade and organic networks in creating awareness of biodiversity conservation, the social and environment costs of coffee systems, and the need for supporting small farmers are also discussed. The methods to increase accountability and improve the efficiency of coffee cooperatives are presented in this chapter, as are the importance of understanding the sustainability initiatives and their implications for the regulators, along with the use of land patterns for coffee cultivation.
Silke Mason Westphal
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262026338
- eISBN:
- 9780262267526
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262026338.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
This chapter analyzes coffee agroforestry in Meseta, western Nicaragua by using household survey data from small shade-grown coffee growers of different social backgrounds, and presents information ...
More
This chapter analyzes coffee agroforestry in Meseta, western Nicaragua by using household survey data from small shade-grown coffee growers of different social backgrounds, and presents information on the convergence of the shade-grown coffee system by two groups of growers. The first are the parceleros, originally known to be landless wage workers, who worked under the Sandinistas and received individual land plots; this was followed by plantations re-distribution in 1900s. The second group inherited or purchased their farms. The only catalyst common to both these groups was the collapse of agricultural modernization policies, resulting in withdrawal of rural credit and purchased inputs subsidies. The chapter concludes that adoption of shade-grown management by both these groups shows their adaptive power to respond to the changing circumstances and needs of the households.Less
This chapter analyzes coffee agroforestry in Meseta, western Nicaragua by using household survey data from small shade-grown coffee growers of different social backgrounds, and presents information on the convergence of the shade-grown coffee system by two groups of growers. The first are the parceleros, originally known to be landless wage workers, who worked under the Sandinistas and received individual land plots; this was followed by plantations re-distribution in 1900s. The second group inherited or purchased their farms. The only catalyst common to both these groups was the collapse of agricultural modernization policies, resulting in withdrawal of rural credit and purchased inputs subsidies. The chapter concludes that adoption of shade-grown management by both these groups shows their adaptive power to respond to the changing circumstances and needs of the households.
