By Denise Attaway
Weather pattern changes, pests and diseases threaten coffee and cacao crops while also straining the global food system. To help farmers adapt at home and abroad, Clemson University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa are uniting in a research initiative to identify stronger crop varieties and farming practices.
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao (CCIL) is led by the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Clemson. This multi-year initiative, with an initial obligation of $8 million, funded by the U.S. Department of State, brings together university, industry and agricultural partners to develop improved crop varieties, test farming practices and strengthen production systems.
The initiative will work in Latin America, Africa and Asia to improve productivity, profitability and resilience of coffee and cacao farming systems. Knowledge gained from this research will also benefit South Carolina.
Why this matters now
Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increased pest and disease pressures can reduce yields and threaten farm incomes, particularly for smallholder farmers. Scientists will evaluate crop varieties and farming practices to help producers maintain harvests, improve productivity and reach higher-value markets.
Source : clemson.edu