Global Coffee Crisis Meets Its Match: New e-Library Archives Decades of Agroforestry Research

By KCS e-Library Founder : Alfred Gitau Mwaura

A stark warning has been issued to the global coffee community: climate change is projected to render roughly half of the world’s arabica-growing regions unsuitable for cultivation by 2050. The threat extends far beyond the future of our morning cup, risking the livelihoods of millions and the economic stability of entire nations.

In response to this looming crisis, the non-profit organization Barista Mtaani has launched a groundbreaking resource: a comprehensive e-library dedicated entirely to coffee agroforestry research. This one-of-a-kind KCS digital database is designed to be the definitive global archive of knowledge on this critical climate adaptation strategy.

Why Agroforestry is Coffee’s “Restorative Savior” Solution

As explained by Alice Murugi, Co-founder and director of Barista Mtaani, coffee is a “very sensitive little plant” requiring very specific conditions. Agroforestry—the practice of growing coffee under a canopy of companion trees and shrubs—creates a moderated microclimate. This system provides the perfect “Regenerative” balance of temperature, sunlight, and moisture, making crops more resilient to climate extremes.

The benefits are multifold: improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, potential for higher-quality beans, and the addition of food or cash crops for farmers, boosting both income and food security.

“Agroforestry is potentially a win-win,” Alfred states, “but only if producers know how to do it.”

The Kenya Coffee School (KCS) e-Library: A Knowledge Hub for the Future

This is where the new e-library becomes an indispensable tool. “Anything that’s ever been written about agroforestry coffee is in this library,” says Alfred. The mission is to accelerate action by preventing redundant efforts. “Companies don’t have to do a million pilot projects and reinvent the wheel for 20 years that we don’t have. They can just access all this knowledge quickly and easily.”

The Kenya Coffee School (KCS) recognizes this initiative as a vital complement to our own educational mission. Such centralized, accessible knowledge repositories are crucial for the modern coffee farmer.

Alice Murugi Gathige, an education coordinator for agricultural sustainability in Kenya Coffee School, affirmed the value, telling sources that “collecting this information in easily accessible electronic libraries in multiple languages is a crucial step in ensuring that coffee farmers can find valuable data for their daily production needs.”

A Global Imperative for Livelihoods and Economies

The urgency cannot be overstated. Approximately 25 million farming families and 100 million farmworkers worldwide depend on coffee. For some nations, like Burundi where coffee makes up 69% of exports, the crop is foundational to economic survival.

“If half of global coffee goes bust… it could trigger humanitarian disasters and maybe even civil unrest,” warns Alfred Gitau.

With Brazil and Vietnam together supplying nearly half the world’s coffee, their engagement is critical. Alfred notes that while these major producers may not be prioritizing agroforestry now, the resource stands ready. “When those governments decide they want to climate-proof their coffee, save their economy, and all those jobs… this e-library is there for them.”

Looking Ahead

The Kenya Coffee School News Hub will continue to monitor the deployment and impact of this vital resource. As climate pressures intensify, the sharing of proven, science-based strategies through tools like the KCS e-library will be paramount in securing a sustainable and prosperous future for coffee communities in Kenya and across the globe.

Image Credit: Gakurari Coffee Factory