Campinas – Qahwa World
A recent report published by Reuters highlights growing efforts by Brazilian researchers to safeguard the future of arabica coffee as climate pressures intensify worldwide.
At the Campinas Agronomy Institute in southeastern Brazil, agronomist Oliveiro Guerreiro Filho is working among a diverse collection of coffee plants that differs sharply from the uniform rows seen across most commercial farms. The site brings together a wide range of species, including 15 rare and non-commercial varieties such as racemosa, liberica and stenophylla.
Researchers believe these lesser-known species may hold the genetic traits needed to strengthen arabica, which remains the most widely consumed coffee in the world.
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Scientists warn that arabica is increasingly vulnerable to rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns. Production in key countries, including Brazil, is expected to face mounting pressure in the coming decades.
According to a report by Rabobank, up to 20 percent of current arabica-growing areas could become unsuitable for cultivation by 2050.
In response, researchers are working to introduce genetic material from more resilient species into arabica plants. The goal is to develop new varieties that can better tolerate heat, drought and disease.
Liberica has attracted particular attention due to its ability to withstand hotter and drier conditions. Farmers in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, have already begun testing the species on a small scale.
Jason Liew, founder of a coffee plantation in Malaysia’s Johor state, said liberica performs well in high temperatures and shows strong resistance to disease.
Brazilian researchers are focusing on transferring such traits into arabica, given its dominant position in global markets.
Guerreiro Filho said the institute has spent years working to transfer drought-tolerance genes from racemosa into arabica in an effort to produce more resilient plants.
The process is long and complex. It involves cross-breeding and exposing new hybrids to harsh conditions to identify the strongest varieties. This work can take between 20 and 30 years.
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Beyond climate resilience, researchers are also testing hybrids for improved resistance to pests and diseases while maintaining quality. Some crosses have shown stronger resistance to coffee rust, while others perform better against leaf miner larvae.
Rodolfo Oliveira of Brazil’s agricultural research agency emphasized that working with alternative coffee species is essential, noting that arabica has a very narrow genetic base, which increases its vulnerability to environmental threats.
As climate challenges continue to grow, efforts like those underway in Campinas may play a critical role in securing the future of coffee production.
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