Healthy Soils
Supporting soil health in Coffee Farms
2
min
Maintaining healthy, balanced soil is essential to keep coffee farms in good condition. By employing various regenerative agriculture practices farmers are finding new ways to nurture their soil and strengthening their farms’ ecosystems.
All about balance
Brazilian coffee farmer Eduardo Bortolini understands the importance of healthy soil. “It’s vital for coffee cultivation,” he says. “Soil must be balanced.” This equilibrium has far-reaching effects. Healthy soil can require less water, contribute to the health of his crops and strengthen the surrounding ecosystems. Farms are the starting point for our coffee production process, so it’s essential that their soil is carefully nourished. “This improves all conditions on the farm,” says Eduardo.
“Today, when we see that the soil is not healthy, we have some tools, such as biological composting, to reverse this problem in the ground.”
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1:30
Quality compost
Eduardo supports his soil healthy by employing some of the regenerative agriculture practices that we’ve shared with him. “If I need to improve my soil I now use biological composting,” he says. He makes compost from waste materials produced on the farm like coffee husks. “I’ve noticed big changes since using this method,” he says. “Quality soil can lead to improved crop quality.” Other methods include keeping soil covered to retain moisture, and planting Brachiaria grass to capture nitrogen.
Planning ahead
Eduardo acknowledges that this focus on soil required a new mindset. “We’ve undergone a cultural and structural change,” he says. “And through this we’ve all come to the understanding that soil is a priority.” He believes these new developments bode well for his farm’s future. “My son, Rafael, started working here recently,” he says. “He is already aware of how important soil is. Soil is our heritage, and he will have to pass this on to future generations.”
FAQ
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
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