Coffee Production

Jessie’s Sunshine Farm: A New Venture in Robusta Coffee Production

Jessie’s Sunshine Farm is embarking on an ambitious project to cultivate Robusta coffee, focusing on the varieties FRT 11 and FRT 65, while also incorporating FR 07 and FR 23. The primary objective is to plant a total of 10,000 coffee trees, with 4,000 already planted. This initiative aims to establish a sustainable source of income through coffee production.

Infrastructure Development

To facilitate the production process, the farm will construct a drying and packaging facility. This infrastructure will enable the sale of coffee to exporters and roasters, expanding market opportunities. Future plans include establishing a roasting facility, which will further enhance product value. With acquired expertise, Jessie’s Sunshine Farm aims to sell roasted coffee online through platforms such as SHOPEELAZADATemu, and AMAZON, and explore auction sales as a potential revenue stream.

Characteristics of Robusta Coffee

Robusta coffee beans, scientifically classified as Coffea canephora or Coffea Robusta, are known for their robust flavor profile and higher caffeine content. These beans are integral to various coffee blends, including coffee lattes, cappuccinos, and strong espresso shots. The global market shows a 70% preference for Arabica over 30% for Robusta, yet Robusta remains a significant player due to its disease resistance and health benefits.

Planting Strategy

At Jessie’s Sunshine Farm, coffee trees are planted in rows that are 3 meters apart, with trees positioned only 1 meter apart within the rows. This decision, while reducing the individual harvest from 2.9 kg to 1.9 kg per tree, is expected to yield a greater overall harvest per hectare due to the increased tree density. Research suggests that a 3 x 2 planting system can support about 1,650 trees per hectare, yielding 4,800 kg/ha (equivalent to 80 bags of coffee), while a 3 x 1 system may allow for 3,300 trees per hectare and a potential harvest of 6,600 kg/ha (about 110 bags). The farm’s unique positioning near the equator influences planting orientation, as rows are not strictly

aligned east to west.

Shading Strategies and Crop Integration

To optimize growing conditions, the farm incorporates a zoning arrangement that allows for shading crops, such as bananas, to be interspersed between coffee rows. Robusta coffee requires approximately 70% shading during cherry production, making bananas an ideal companion crop. This integration supports both coffee cultivation and enhances overall biodiversity on the farm.

Conclusion

The primary product at Jessie’s Sunshine Farm will be green dried coffee beans. As the farm continues to develop its infrastructure and planting strategies, it aims to contribute significantly to the local coffee industry while exploring innovative marketing avenues. The journey is just beginning, and the outcomes of this venture will contribute valuable insights to the field of coffee production. Research suggests that a 3 x 2 planting system can support about 1,650 trees per hectare, yielding 4,800 kg/ha (equivalent to 80 bags of coffee), while a 3 x 1 system may allow for 3,300 trees per hectare and a potential harvest of 6,600 kg/ha (about 110 bags). The farm’s unique positioning near the equator influences planting orientation, as rows are not strictly aligned east to west.