Percentage of Project Backed

La Roya is a plant disease that has been affecting coffee harvest across Latin America. The International Coffee Organization (ICO), based in London, issued a report on La Roya in May, saying more than 50% of the total coffee-growing areas in Central America have been affected.The ICO estimates total damage this year of 2.7 million bags of coffee, a loss of about $500 million.

“Roya has exposed the depth of the social and economic problems in terms of people’s vulnerability to the market and to climate change,” said Peter Loach, the Guatemalan director of Mercy Corps, an aid agency.

Episode Summary 

Our episode investigates the potent impact of this plant disease on Central American farmers.  How are local farmers showing resiliency to this problem? Are local governments doing enough to help farmers adapt?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/26/fungus-attacks-coffee-beans/2461751/ 

http://dailycoffeenews.com/2014/08/27/how-beekeeping-is-helping-farmers-cope-with-la-roya-in-the-guatemalan-coffeelands/

Partner Organization: Food4Farmers