The project will be led by researchers at University of Naples Parthenope (Italy) and London School of Economics (UK) to develop ‘a comprehensive understanding of our current knowledge of which farming interventions have succeeded in improving coffee farmer (and other agriculturists) prosperity, with a focus on randomized control trials and quasi-experimental studies.’
“Most coffee farmers are smallholders and about half of them live below the international poverty line,” noted Davide Del Prete, Associate Professor of Economics at University of Naples Parthenope.
“These farmers face unique challenges in improving production and productivity. Several interventions and programs have been implemented in the sector but, to date, there is a lack of a systematic review of their effects. With our research, we aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of these interventions and highlight their success in improving coffee farmer productivity and income.”
Financial support is led by KDP, while CSF – the research arm of the Specialty Coffee Association which was set up in 2019 – will be able to advance a key component of its research agenda. As the research arm of the SCA, Coffee Science Foundation aims to provide the specialty coffee community with scientifically rigorous research that benefits the entire coffee value chain.
“Many companies seek to act positively within their supply chains but have little information about what interventions might do the most good,” explained Peter Giuliano, Executive Director of the Coffee Science Foundation. “Our hope is that this research is an early step towards providing this information to specialty coffee businesses everywhere.”
“Partnering with the Specialty Coffee Association creates a unique opportunity to illuminate learnings about the most effective ways to improve coffee farmer prosperity,” says Whitney Kakos, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability at Keurig Dr Pepper. “In commissioning this study, the SCA is providing data-backed insights that enable stakeholders in the coffee industry like KDP to optimize the impact of their investments on farmer livelihoods.”
