Brewing higher profits and saving birds on the farm

Brewing higher profits and saving birds on the farm

Context:

According to a recently published research in the journal Scientific Reports, Arabica coffee helps both farmers and wild birds in the Ghats.

Issues with Robusta Plantations around the World:

• Native trees are cut down to grow Robusta, in order to give it more sunlight. Thus it is considered unsuitable for wildlife
• For example, in Vietnam full-sun coffee growth occurred at the expense of native trees.

Robusta and Arabica Plantations in India

Between 1950 and 2015, planted area under Robusta grew by 840% while Arabica grew by 327%.

About the Study:

Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS-India) and USA’s Princeton University compared bird diversity in 61 Arabica and Robusta estates across Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Kodagu districts in Karnataka.

Findings of the Study:

• The plantations supported 79 species of forest-dependent birds in all
• Arabica estates hosted twice the number of endemic birds than Robusta. They also supported more birds that depend on forests, and eat fruits, insects and other food.
• Interviews with 344 coffee-growers showed that Arabica was more profitable, with returns of around Rs. 1 lakh per hectare.
• Robusta plantations also hosted high bird diversity. Robusta farmers in the Western Ghats retain native trees and thus they have been able to preserve the complex canopy structure, setting them apart from others worldwide