Dear reader, you know that Colombia is the world's leading producer of mild coffee , and although its profitability has been increasing in recent years, there are certain factors that must be taken into account, such as soil, climate, diversity, and crop agronomy. These are technological variables that growers must consider to improve coffee productivity.
The aim of modernizing coffee cultivation is to increase coffee plantation productivity, making it a sustainable activity aimed at making crops less vulnerable to climate change by cultivating rust-resistant varieties. Below, I list some aspects that have been fundamental to the development of coffee in a producing country like Colombia.
Technological development of coffee plantations
The process of modernizing coffee plantations began in the 1970s with the introduction of the Caturra variety and was consolidated in the 1980s with the Colombia variety, developed by the National Coffee Research Center (CENICAFE). This scientific study and technological development allow growers to have improved and more productive seed varieties, resistant to disease and better adapted to climate change, with improved soil conservation practices, agroforestry (a production system that integrates trees, livestock, and pastures in a single production unit), integrated weed management, monitoring and recording of climatic variables, crop modernization, integrated pest and disease management, water conservation, and the first developments in assisted harvesting.
In the early 1970s, CENICAFE began a series of trials aimed at developing Colombian coffee technology. Thus, beginning in 1970, events changed the coffee landscape. Such was the arrival of coffee rust in the Americas, a situation that prompted the Colombian Coffee Federation to increase research on all fronts, but primarily on genetic improvement, focusing on chemical control with a view to developing a coffee culture that could coexist with the disease. Coffee plantation renovation and modernization programs were intensified to ensure plantations could absorb the new control costs. Through these scientific research processes, CENICAFE has contributed to the modernization of the crop to achieve desired yields at a given time with a technology that basically consists of the following aspects: progressive increase in planting density, introduction of small-sized varieties, total or partial elimination of shade, incorporation of fertilizers, intensification of management practices, and periodic renewal.
Technological evolution of coffee grinding or mill
Coffee grinding or milling is a domestic and industrial process that involves reducing roasted beans to a powder using a coffee grinder to facilitate brewing coffee. The fundamental objective of grinding is to achieve optimal coffee extraction efficiency for preparing the beverage. The parameters that characterize a grind are the average size and particle distribution.
The evolution of coffee grinding technology began in 1914. From 1900 until that year, industrial coffee grinding was carried out entirely using flat discs. It was during this period that complementary shear rollers were developed. Since then, further developments have been made, with the rotation at different speeds increasing the shear force. The angles of the grooves relative to the roller axis have been modified. Roller cushioning, cooling, and cleaning of the rollers and grindstones have been improved. Compaction systems have also been incorporated, always seeking to improve the product and obtain a more homogeneous grind or mill.
Technology for the new generations
Technology is also very important because it can make coffee more attractive to young people. Generational change is said to be in danger, as the children of traditional coffee growers are rejecting coffee farms for jobs in the city, which they consider more stable and profitable. Therefore, efforts are being made to train the heirs of coffee growers by creating social networks that promote coffee nationally and internationally. If the different coffee-growing cultures are understood, technology can be the key to getting the new generations to take ownership of their parents' farms, showing them how income can be increased through effective social media marketing, thus bridging long distances and removing coffee from the isolation it often faces. In this way, communication between producers will create an extensive repository of knowledge.
New technologies to combat rust and climate change
One of the priorities for Colombian coffee growers is to increase crop productivity and profitability. Technical and scientific development is essential to this goal, as it also contributes to controlling phenomena such as rust. CENICAFE has managed to reduce the impact of this fungus by developing rust-resistant varieties. In agriculture, it is necessary to be productive to be profitable, and productivity implies striving to achieve technical changes.
To reduce water pollution during the process, "Ecomill" technology was implemented on small-scale producer farms. This technology uses natural fermentation, ensuring that the coffee cycle is pollution-free. Environmentally, this technology can produce mild coffee while 100% reducing the pollution generated by wastewater during washing.
Another technological development is the use of the agroforestry system, in which trees are used to provide shade and improve crop conditions.
Climate change has influenced coffee production because the amount of rain that previously fell in eight hours now falls in two. These changes have required technological innovations focused on productivity, profitability, improving coffee growers' quality of life, and environmental sustainability.
Finally, I want to emphasize once again the importance of technology in enabling constant communication between coffee growers, who, due to the long distances between farms, used to make farming an isolating task. Hence the commitment of the new generation of coffee growers, who must create social networks that promote the brand and facilitate knowledge exchange between producers, exporters, and buyers.