World Coffee Research (WCR) has identified critical challenges in the coffee seed sector, including inadequate seed traceability and the need for improved infrastructure. The organization stresses the importance of a well-structured seed sector tailored to local market needs.
Climate change and harvest migration are significant concerns, but the lack of a formalized coffee seed sector poses an additional risk. Emilia Umaña, WCR’s Nursery Development Program Manager, emphasizes that without a robust seed sector, farmers may not access high-quality varieties, affecting long-term productivity.
A recent WCR survey of 52 seed plantations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru revealed issues with seed quality and genetic conformity. The study, conducted from 2020 to 2023, involved genetic assessments and cleanup of substandard seed lots.
WCR’s efforts, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aim to improve seed quality and provide growers with better planting materials, ultimately enhancing coffee production in Latin America.