How farmers care for soil as a living heritage, passed on over generations
From the soil up, coffee’s future takes root
5
min
For many coffee farmers, soil isn’t just dirt: it’s a legacy. It’s something cared for over a lifetime and passed from one generation to the next. Healthy soil holds the story of a farm’s past and the promise of its future. That’s why, together with NESCAFÉ®, farmers are working to care for and restore their soils, helping to rebuild fertility, support soil structure, and maintain the water and biodiversity that surround their farms.
Healthy soil, passed from one generation to the next
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Soils, regions, and what they face
Coffee grows in many different landscapes, from volcanic slopes to tropical hillsides shaped by years of rain and sun. Each place has its own rhythm, and farmers work with those natural conditions rather than against them. By keeping soil covered, planting complementary trees, and shaping fields to slow and absorb water, they help maintain the ground beneath the plants. Ground cover helps shield the soil from harsh sun and heavy rain, supporting root health and growth. Shade and border trees add leaf litter and roots that help hold soil in place, especially during storms.
From volcanic slopes to tropical hillsides, coffee grows in many different regions
Why healthy soil makes the difference
Healthy soil creates the conditions that coffee trees need to grow well. If soil is not cared for, plants can struggle to grow and develop fully. As Vietnamese farmer Dương Thanh Sâm shares, “If soil is disturbed, polluted or not cared for, then plants find it difficult to survive… Coffee trees need certain conditions to grow well, including healthy soil with adequate nutrients and moisture.” Over time, the differences can become visible in the crop: healthy soil can give coffee trees a better chance of growing well, with the right nutrients and moisture to support consistent development.
Coffee trees need healthy soil for a better chance of growing well
How farmers rebuild living soil
Farmers rebuild soil by keeping the ground covered with living plants or mulch. This helps protect the surface, slows runoff, and gives rain more time to soak into the root zone. Leaf litter, prunings and coffee pulp can be returned to the field as compost, helping farmers make use of organic material already available on the farm, and reducing the need for synthetic alternatives.
Farmers maintain their soil by keeping living ground cover in place
Why soil matters for the future and your cup of NESCAFÉ®
Healthy, well-covered soils can help retain water, support a richer web of life in the soil, and contribute to more stable growing conditions. That’s why soil sits at the heart of the NESCAFÉ® Plan: practical field support, renovation with the right plant material, and training that helps farmers put soil first. As Eduardo says, “Soil is heritage… and we have to pass this on to future generations.”
Coffee farmers know that soil is a heritage they must take care of
Explore how we are supporting regenerative agriculture
Discover how NESCAFÉ® supports coffee farmers in leveraging regenerative agriculture practises to work in harmony with nature.
