Once Established on The Field

Coffee shrubs are planted at a three by one meter distance. The outcome of planting coffee shrubs at this distance is a low density plantation. The conventional distance at which coffee plantations are established are usually one by one, one and a half by one, and two by one, all at which a high density plantation is obtained. At high densities, less sunlight reaches the plants, thus creating an ambiance proper for fungi propagation. At lower densities, it becomes harder for fungi to prosper, thus reducing the necessity of relying on pesticides in order to maintain a healthy plant. High density plantations tend to generate higher production yields than low density plantations in the first few years; however, we are convinced that there is an interchange between quality and quantity. We Strongly believe in producing less in those first years at a superb quality, than producing more at an average or less than optimal quality.

The employment of herbicides is strictly forbidden. The clearing of weeds is done by hand using the proper tools and machinery. The employment of this technique, though costly, helps maintain a balanced ecosystem in which it becomes harder for pests to flourish. The burden of pests is shared with all the plants and organisms present, all of which would absent if herbicides were employed.

Natural repellants of pests are incorporated into the plantation. Currently we are incorporating plants which aid as repellants of nematodes, which affect the root system of coffee plants. The plants known in Guatemala as Flor de Muerto and Gandul are being planted alongside coffee shrubs. These plants possess a peculiar odor which nematodes dislike and thus reduces the number of colonies present significantly. Other plants are in the process of being investigated in order to establish their capability to serve as biological pesticides. Since we believe in balancing the ecosystem in which coffee shrubs flourish, we intend to incorporate living organisms that contribute to the plants healthy existence. The introduction and employment of biological pesticides tends to reduce the dependency of synthetic ones.

Hipothenmus hampei Ferrari better known as broca is without a doubt the most worrisome plague for worldwide coffee producers. One of the major problems in regards to coffee defects is attributed to the broca insect. In order to control this pest, coffee farmers have relied on heavy applications of synthetic pesticides. Finca El Faro, employs a combination of cultural chores which include the gathering of coffee beans that fall to the ground during harvesting, and the collection of the first flowerings. The beans that come from the first flowering attract most of the broca and should be collected before the broca colonizes later flowering beans. In addition, constant sampling is performed throughout the entire plantation to establish broca population and infestation sights.

Once we have identified areas of infestation and estimated the number of broca present we proceed to introduce alcohol bait traps with reduce the number of broca significantly by attracting and capturing the insect. The most effective and biologically friendly tool we employ in order to combat the broca insect is without a doubt the use of a primary ectoparsitoide denominated C. stephanoderis. In other words, an insect that interacts with broca and eliminates it biologically. The interaction of C. stephanoderis with broca lowers the number of broca significantly, thus limiting the use of pesticides to extreme cases.

Our goal is to maintain and perfect the use of an integrated pest management system. Such a system creates a less fragile ecosystem, thus bringing us a step closer to sustainability.