There are many threats to the future of coffee: a changing climate, plant diseases and pests, decreasing yields, less viable land, and increasing costs of production, along with a lack of education and resources. If these threats were left unaddressed, the result would be a lot less coffee. This would adversely impact all the people in coffee-producing countries whose livelihoods depend on the health of those little beans. It would also mean less coffee to drink for everyone everywhere, and dramatically increased prices for a bag of beans or our daily cup.
The future of coffee does not have to be one of scarcity, doom and gloom, but it does require that practical steps be taken now to address these issues. As one coffee company, Market Lane can’t address and solve all these issues on our own, but it is our hope that by collaborating with our peers in the industry, real and substantial progress will be made. This is why we are passionate supporters of World Coffee Research (WCR) and the crucial work they’re doing to address threats to the coffee supply chain, through collaborative research and development.
What is World Coffee Research?
World Coffee Research is a non-profit agricultural research organisation, formed in 2012 with the recognition that innovation in coffee agriculture is necessary to grow, protect and enhance supplies of quality coffee, while improving the livelihoods of the people that produce it, and safeguarding natural resources.
WCR partners with over 190 coffee companies in 25 countries. It is the only global organisation taking a coordinated, collaborative and worldwide approach to scientific research into coffee. WCR’s goal is to discover a toolbox of coffee varieties, genetic resources and technologies, and to openly share these with coffee-producing countries, in order to create a more sustainable future for coffee.
Together with its partners, World Coffee Research is using advanced and applied scientific research to prepare the next generation of coffee varieties, which will be high quality, high yielding and resilient. WCR is also creating new technologies and market opportunities to help farmers become more sustainable, profitable and secure – especially in the face of serious threats like climate change. Additionally, WCR is conducting research to drive profitable agricultural practices, minimise environmental impact, and maximise farmer yield and income.
“The research we conduct today will determine what coffee we drink in the future. Using advances in agricultural science, it is possible to dramatically improve coffee yields, quality, climate resilience and farmer profitability” – World Coffee Research
How does Market Lane support World Coffee Research?
As is probably pretty evident, Market Lane really, really cares about coffee! We’re extremely passionate about helping to create a sustainable, resilient and equitable coffee value chain, now and into the future. As WCR is a non-profit organisation, it relies on funding from the global industry, and we see it as vitally important to offer our support. That’s why we are members of World Coffee Research’s Check-Off Program, through which we donate one cent for every kilo of coffee we buy to WCR.
Where can I learn more?
If you’re reading this Journal post, chances are you’re a big fan of coffee. If you want to learn more about what World Coffee Research is doing to safeguard everyone’s favourite morning beverage and to ensure its future, you can read more on their website, and learn about the Check-Off Program here. We also highly recommend this short video by The Washington Post; it gives a great overview of the issues the global coffee industry is facing and the work that needs to be done to address them.
