In South Sudan, farmer Catherine Bashiama aims to improve her family’s livelihood by cultivating excelsa coffee, a climate-resistant species, to combat rising costs and challenges in global coffee production due to climate change. Despite its potential, the local coffee industry faces infrastructural and sociopolitical obstacles that hinder its growth. Efforts to revive coffee cultivation could provide financial independence, but require stability and long-term commitment from the community.
In Nzara County, South Sudan, farmer Catherine Bashiama tends to a coffee tree that she nurtured from a seedling for three years, eagerly anticipating her first harvest. Bashiama, who has twelve children, sees this rare excelsa coffee species, known for its climate resilience, as a pathway to alleviate her family’s poverty and secure educational opportunities for her children.
Excelsa coffee, indigenous to South Sudan, is generating excitement among local communities and the international market amid a global coffee crisis exacerbated by climate change. With major coffee-producing nations facing severe drought conditions, the demand for resilient coffee species has surged as prices reach record highs. Currently, Brazil’s projections indicate a potential 12% decrease in their coffee harvest due to adverse climate impacts.
Aaron Davis, head of coffee research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, remarks, “What history shows us is that sometimes the world doesn’t give you a choice, and right now there are many coffee farmers suffering from climate change that are facing this predicament.” The excelsa species, with its ability to thrive under extreme conditions, is seen as a potential solution to these challenges.
While excelsa coffee currently comprises less than 1% of the global market, experts emphasize its potential to contribute significantly to food production in South Sudan. Historically, South Sudan’s involvement in coffee cultivation has been limited due to conflict, which disrupted local farming practices. However, there is a renewed interest in reviving coffee cultivation as the country seeks economic opportunities.
Residents of Nzara County express nostalgia for their parents’ coffee-growing practices, yet many in the younger generation lack firsthand experience. Familiar with excelsa, they often refer to it simply as the tall tree rather than by its name. The excelsa coffee is noted for its sweet taste, differing from other coffee varieties, and may appeal to a growing consumer base.
Ian Paterson, managing director of Equatoria Teak, states, “There’s so little known about this coffee, that we feel at the forefront to trying to unravel it and we’re learning every day.” The company has been conducting trials on excelsa, showing promising results in heat resistance, and aims to boost local production by supporting farmers with seedlings and training.
The economic potential of coffee production in South Sudan faces significant obstacles, including lack of infrastructure and ongoing insecurity. The transportation costs to export coffee to international markets can be exorbitant, complicating financial viability. Furthermore, despite a cessation of direct conflict, underlying tensions affect local stability and investment.
Alison Barnaba, the state’s minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment, indicates that plans to revive old coffee plantations are in the works, although details remain unclear. Ongoing economic challenges, including unpaid civil servant wages and disrupted oil revenues, add complexity to these initiatives.
For local farmers like Bashiama, coffee represents a glimmer of hope amidst adversity. With her husband injured and unable to work, she aspires to utilize coffee income to support her children’s education. Other farmers echo this sentiment, viewing cocoa cultivation as a path towards financial independence and stability within their communities.
Nonetheless, challenges such as seasonal fires threaten coffee crops, and the lack of long-term planning poses significant risks. As Elia Box notes, the community must shift its mindset from short-term survival to a commitment to growing coffee, which requires peace and stability to thrive. Without a conducive environment, the prospects for the coffee industry remain uncertain.
Excelsa coffee may offer a crucial opportunity for resilience in South Sudan amid climate-induced challenges facing traditional coffee crops. Local farmers, particularly women, are investing hope in this climate-resilient species to uplift their families from poverty and contribute to the national economy. However, the successful development of this industry hinges on overcoming significant logistical, infrastructural, and sociopolitical hurdles, underscoring the need for a stable and supportive environment for economic growth.
Original Source: www.wvnews.com
