A LASTING LEGACY OF COFFEE FARMING

3 min

In touch with the land, farmers carefully cultivate the coffee trees that contribute to a great cup of coffee. Farms are where coffee begins, and farmers are the ones responsible for tending these coffee trees and cherries. We benefit from their deep, often lifelong understanding of the land, and their ongoing commitment to managing their farms with skill, awareness and passion.

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Rafael Bortolini

Join Rafael as he continues the rich legacy of his family’s farm in Brazil.

Farming for life

Rafael Bortolini, from Linhares (Espírito Santo), in Brazil, is proud to be a fourth-generation farmer, but it all could have turned out differently. “I thought about being a lawyer, working in the city,” he explains. His family ties proved stronger, as did the allure of coffee production. Over time he realised that he could make a difference, both to how the farm operated and to the families involved. “Our workers are the real heart of the farm,” he says. “There’s a shared desire to build it and grow together.”

A family legacy

Traditions for the future

“I’m inspired by seeing the farm evolve,” says Rafael. New to farming, he learnt existing techniques from his father, all while introducing modern methods. “I have brought in technologies that improve the farm’s productivity, and the quality of work for our employees,” he explains. These include using drones to map the land, and regenerative agriculture practices like the introduction of natural wind breaks to protect the coffee trees - suggested by NESCAFÉ^® agronomists like Liliane Céo. “I’m passionate about technological growth, and understanding how to make it work,” he says.

Using new technologies

Providing training and technical assistance for farmers is a cornerstone of the NESCAFÉ^® Plan field programs.

Discover more on this here.

Coffee is heritage

Rafael is well aware of how essential coffee farming is to his country. “Agriculture is a major economic contributor in Brazil,” he says. “It’s also culturally significant to Brazilians.” In retrospect he’s happy he never settled in the city and instead embraced the opportunity to grow his family’s legacy. It’s not just because he’s helping forge new successes, it’s because contributing to a delicious cup is part of his identity. “For me, coffee represents a signature from my family,” he says.

An identity created by coffee

I have brought in technologies that improve the farm’s productivity and its balance with the environment and the quality of work for our employees.

Rafael Bortolini,

farmer, Brazil

FAQ

What is regenerative agriculture?

In line with the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform, NESCAFÉ^® defines “regenerative agriculture” as an approach to farming which aims, through practice adoption, to conserve and restore natural resources, primarily soil, as well as water and biodiversity, while capturing carbon in soils and plant biomass, and to support farmers’ livelihoods. Key practices promoted under the NESCAFÉ^® Plan include efficient water use and optimised use of inputs.

Learn more: NESCAFÉ^® Plan 2030 Progress Report 2025