Why Is Education About Coffee Important?
Education is essential to continuing innovation, creativity, and ethics in the specialty coffee industry. Education is critical not just for coffee producers, roasters, and consumers but also for the industry's growth. For example, when farmers are educated on improved growing methods, they can see increased yields of better-quality coffees.
Asan example, when coffee producers receive training and education, they can learn how to implement better growing methods. This often leads to increased yields of higher-quality coffees. And because the coffee is now of higher quality, producers can sell it at a higher price. With this extra income, producers can reinvest in their farms. We've spoken with World Barista certified professional Nicolás Bulla for more information about coffee sector education. Finally breaking this into the following points:
Photo taken by René Porter
Educating coffee farmers
Many coffee growers do not have extra money to spend on their schooling. In addition, when all their time is spent trying to grow and sell coffee, getting an education is probably not at the top of their list.
Coffee roasters and consumers can improve their product knowledge by funding educational projects for farmers. These initiatives teach farmers to cultivate better coffee and increase crop yields. Sometimes, this allows farmers to sell their beans at a higher price. Furthermore, if farmers receive education about cupping techniques, they can understand how coffee evaluators will score their coffee. Cupping not only helps determine the sale price of coffee beans: the higher the cupping score, generally corresponding with a rise in value.
"It's critical to educate coffee farmers about the entire chain," Nicolás adds, who is also a green coffee buyer and farm consultant. "However, they must be aware of coffee's cupping and grading procedures." When farmers are aware of the value of their coffee and can explain its cupping score, they're more likely to be able to negotiate a fair price for their product successfully. It is too easy for farmers to undersell their coffee beans if buyers are unaware of the cupping score.
Nicolás believes that farmers should be taught the fundamentals of extraction and optimal roasting techniques to appreciate their green coffee's potential." With these tools, farmers will have more information when pricing their coffee and stay up with global trends. Then they can focus on providing what consumers desire," he adds.
Not only are coffee farmers struggling to make ends meet, but the future of the coffee sector is in jeopardy. Coffee farms are becoming less profitable as farmhands receive little compensation, so many landowners are selling their property or using it for another purpose. Education initiatives could benefit all those involved in the coffee industry, especially women.
It's worth noting that female coffee producers in developing countries often face restrictions regarding profits and opportunities. One of the primary reasons for this is their lack of access to education.
Providing these women with business advice and teaching them different cultivation methods can help them set up their source of income. Additionally, it would give them more independence and stability.
