Scientists have developed a new technique for managing soil erosion in coffee agroforestry systems in Costa Rica.

Coffee is the main source of livelihood in central Costa Rica and is generally grown on steep slopes in highland areas with high rainfall.

An article on the website of the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) outlines how its scientists studied coffee farms in the Llano Bonito region. They developed a typology of coffee growers’ management methods which they found to be both environmentally and socioeconomically diverse.

The scientists also built a conceptual model of the agroforestry system which looked at how external factors affect coffee production, gross margin and reduction in erosion. This model was then applied to each of the groups in the typology in order to come up with recommendations on the most appropriate ways for each group to conserve soils while maintaining productivity.

Read the full story: Coffee, shade trees and erosion in Costa Rica: sustainable, high-yielding cropping systems