Cropping concept development
future-proof design for Arabica
and Robusta coffee in Nicaragua
Under the Terra Genesis banner, we collaborated with Lavazza and Mercon Coffee Group to develop climate resilient cropping concepts for regenerative Arabica in Nicaragua’s Pacific tropical highlands, as well as Robusta coffee in the Atlantic tropical savanna.
Services
context assessment
stakeholder engagement
capacity building
cropping concept development
financial modeling
carbon impact assessment
Partners
Terra Genesis
Lavazza
Mercon Coffee Group
Project Context
Mercon supplies Lavazza with Arabica and Robusta coffees from smallholder farmers in Nicaragua. Both companies aim to future-proof their coffee sourcing in the country by creating low-carbon, ecologically and climate resilient production systems. We were tasked with developing regenerative cropping concepts for both coffee types and assessing the projected carbon impacts and financial viability of each.
Process
We initiated a collaborative process with key stakeholders to align on vision, goals, and approach. Regenerative agriculture primers and workshopping ensured a shared understanding of key concepts. In-depth context assessments identified opportunities and constraints in each growing region, informing the design of cropping concepts tailored to the context of both scenarios respectively. Commercial diversification and food security were major considerations informing the cropping concepts. Modeling was conducted to estimate the carbon and financial impacts of each scenario.
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Stakeholder Engagement
Achieving lasting regenerative outcomes requires a long-term vision, commitment, and a shift to a new collaborative paradigm. It’s essential that all key stakeholders—particularly buyers and producers—are aligned on long-term goals, approaches and key aspects required to regenerate the agricultural systems they are working on. We engage all stakeholders in a foundational process that develops their ability to think and operate from a regenerative perspective. Stakeholder engagement is critical because it builds the trust, mutual understanding and healthy relationships that are required for long-term project success.
Context Assessment
The process of regeneration looks differently in every context, due to the unique opportunities, constraints, and potential that are present in every place. To design effective regenerative solutions, it’s crucial to develop a deep understanding of the specific place. Typically this work involves remote assessments, site visits, technical analysis, and ongoing engagement with local partners. A thorough context assessment helps identify key intervention points and guides the selection of practices best suited to achieving the desired outcomes.
Capacity Building
Regeneration requires thinking and working from a different paradigm. In order for project stakeholders to align and effectively work together, we engage them in a collaborative process that develops their thinking around what regeneration means in their context. This can take the form of webinars with primers on regenerative agriculture or development, or more in-depth workshopping that evolves everyone’s thinking about the work at hand. Since regeneration is an ever-evolving process, the capacities of the stakeholders need to evolve with the project.
Cropping Concept Development
Cropping concepts are a valuable tool for developing systems that enhance both ecological and financial resilience. Our tailored strategies optimize land use, strengthen ecosystem services, and improve soil health and biodiversity. This process involves context assessment, technical analysis, and close collaboration with local stakeholders, including technicians and farmers. We also use various modeling techniques to assess financial implications and carbon impact projections. Ultimately, this approach improves yields, boosts long-term profitability, and delivers both environmental and economic value.
Carbon Modeling
We are able to make projections of carbon impacts associated with the current reality of an origin or supply system, and contrast them to the expected impacts that might be seen following an intervention or transition program. The insights can be used to evaluate the potential of insetting vs more traditional offsetting approaches.
Financial Modeling
Financial modeling provides insight into the financial viability of a proposed cropping concept, production system or development intervention. The scope of the modeling may vary, ranging from establishing basic financial viability of a cropping concept, to establishing estimates for origin transition costs, feasible price points, price premium structures, and the cost of de-risking farmers during a regenerative transition.
Outcomes
Stakeholders Alignment On Regenerative Approach & Facilitated Collaboration
Engaged stakeholders to align on core objectives, desired regenerative outcomes and approach to be taken
Identification of Opportunities & Constraints Unique to Context
Identified unique opportunities, constraints and development potential to inform context-specific cropping concepts
Regenerative Cropping Concepts for Arabica & Robusta Coffee
Co-created cropping concepts for multiple scenarios (e.g. optimizing for commercial diversification vs food security)
Financial Implications & Viability of Cropping Concepts
Conducted financial modeling to demonstrate the financial implications and viability of implementing the proposed cropping concepts
Carbon Impact Projections for Proposed Cropping Concepts
Developed projections for carbon impacts associated with proposed cropping concepts
Stakeholder Capacity Development to Engage With Regenerative Approach
Developed capacities of key stakeholders to engage with regenerative agriculture and development process
Explore our work
Raising the Bar for the Coffee Industry: Regenerative Transition at Scale
Blue Bottle Coffee
Developing aspirational, industry-leading transition strategies for coffee origins in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Ethiopia
Climate Resilient Design for Arabica and Robusta Coffee in Nicaragua
Lavazza
Cropping concept development through a collaborative process that involves farmers, exporters, and the roaster
Turning a Healthy Snack Company’s Family Farm Into a Regenerative Innovation Site
Artisan Tropic
Farm design that shows the possibilities of regeneratively grown cassava and plantain in diversified agroforestry systems
Collaborating With Timberland and Smallholders to Bring Cotton Back to Haiti
SFA Haiti
Partnering with Haitian smallholder farmers on the long-term development of regenerative cotton in Haiti. Resulting in the first shoe brought to market with Haitian cotton.
Leading Research on Scaling Regenerative Agriculture With Smallholder Farmers
Rockefeller Foundation | Regen 10
Series of studies that explore the financial viability of smallholder farming and pathways to scale regenerative agriculture through innovation & crop diversification
Innovating Conservation: Reconciling Orangutan Habitat With Regenerative Palm Oil
SOS Sumatra | Faith in Nature
Conducting a study to assess the feasibility of integrating wildlife corridors for orangutans with regenerative palm oil agroforestry in Sumatra
