A New Way Of Producing Coffee – CoffeeTalk

Ecuador Leads in Sustainable Agriculture

Ecuador is implementing sustainable agriculture practices to enhance productivity and preserve its rich biodiversity and forest ecosystems. The UNDP-Lavazza partnership is working with farmers in 23 provinces bordering Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest to produce the world’s first certified ‘deforestation-free’ coffee. The initiative, under the banner of PROAmazonía, the Amazonian Integral Forest Conservation and Sustainable Production Programme, has restored 15,023 hectares of Amazonian land so far. The initiative is driven by strong collaboration between local producers, the government, UNDP, and the private sector.

Seventeen tonnes of deforestation-free coffee have been shipped to Lavazza for international distribution as part of the first shipment in this pilot project. Farmers are seeing the benefits of new techniques in higher prices and wider recognition of their work. Lavazza will introduce its Ecuadorian coffee in a limited-edition tin under its “Tierra! For Ecuador” line in late September, ahead of a critical EU ruling mandating deforestation-free coffee production by January 2025.

Investing in responsible supply chains is not only environmentally beneficial but also crucial for the long-term viability of businesses. The deforestation-free certification includes comprehensive geospatial surveys and third-party verification to ensure that the coffee meets the highest standards of environmental integrity. Tens of thousands of local producers, 40% of whom are women, are delivering high quality deforestation-free coffee.

This wide-ranging public-private partnership is not only improving the quality of life for farmers but also creating agricultural and forestry policies that help Ecuador achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement. The effort has so far supported over 70,000 local producers, 40% of whom are women, through improved infrastructure across 18 gathering centers. UNDP and Lavazza’s approach emphasizes economic inclusion and is grounded in the knowledge of local and Indigenous communities, ensuring that sustainable agriculture practices align with their deep understanding of the ecosystems.

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