MILAN – In an article published in 2023 by Science Direct, researchers explored the impacts of specialty coffee chains on smallholder farmers in two study areas: the Yungas of La Paz in Bolivia and the Huila Department in Colombia. The studies were aimed to understand the implications of specialty coffee and coffee-cherry value chains for smallholder livelihoods and what value-chain improvements, including policy reorientations, could help to enhance the most beneficial types of specialty coffee and coffee-cherry value chains.
The research took place in 2017–2020 in Bolivia and Colombia. The results from the research showed a positive income effects for farmers participating in specialty coffee value chains, especially those who roast and sell their coffee on national markets.
However the results also showed that many aspects did not improve enough in terms of livelihood impacts.
The study was conducted by: Johanna Jacobi, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland, Derly Lara, Universidad Surcolombiana (USCO), Neiva, Colombia, Sebastian Opitz and Sabine de Castelberg, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Switzerland, Sergio Urioste and Alvaro Irazoque, Slow Food Bolivia, La Paz, Bolivia, Daniel Castro, Universidad Surcolombiana, Elio Wildisen, University of Bern, Switzerland, Nelson Gutierrez, Universidad Surcolombiana , and Chahan Yeretzian, Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
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