Research Company Wingsure Launches Coffee Farm Digital Platform COFFEA – CoffeeTalk

Wingsure, a New York company emerging from the California research institute SRI, introduced a new platform for the coffee-growing industry called Wingsure COFFEA on September 28. This innovative tool allows coffee growers to document farm activities using their smartphones, providing a unified source of verified information for buyers, insurers, and lenders. The platform addresses a significant issue where multiple stakeholders—certifiers, buyers, and banks—rely on disparate data, leading to repetitive tasks and incomplete farm assessments.

Wingsure COFFEA centralizes farm records, capturing evidence each season with the aim of creating a more holistic view of the farm. This system is designed to streamline processes, acknowledging that understanding a farm requires more than periodic forms or satellite imagery. The launch of COFFEA coincided with key coffee industry events in Switzerland, highlighting its relevance to current market demands.

The global coffee landscape is predominantly shaped by small farms, with approximately 12.5 million smallholder farms producing around 75% of the world’s coffee on less than five hectares each. However, the process of gathering quality farm data is often costly and time-intensive, exacerbated by increasing regulatory demands such as the forthcoming EU Deforestation Regulation. This regulation stipulates that coffee distributors must ensure their products are traceable and not sourced from deforested areas post-2020.

Wingsure asserts that the need for robust data extends beyond compliance; it is critical for managing climate risks and enhancing productivity. The app facilitates data collection through augmented-reality guides, allowing growers to document their practices while operating offline, with the capability to integrate satellite or drone imagery later.

The architecture of COFFEA ensures that all insights are linked to specific captured evidence, enabling greater reliability in decision-making. This system is intended to enhance existing sustainability, traceability, and risk management frameworks rather than replace them.

For growers, the benefit of COFFEA lies in the evolving farm record that can demonstrate improvements and yield relevant advice, potentially qualifying them for financial incentives and insurance. With a focus on sustainability, COFFEA is establishing itself as a valuable tool in the coffee sector.

Founded in 2018 and spun out of SRI in 2021, Wingsure has expanded its technology for agricultural applications, collaborating with entities like Colombia’s Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) and Tata AIG in India. These partnerships emphasize the need for timely farm intelligence to bolster competitiveness in the global market and improve agricultural insurance frameworks.

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