INFLUENCE OF WATER AVAILABILITY ON COFFEE PRODUCTION AND LIVELIHOODS: AN ANALYSIS OF COFFEE FARMERS IN SANTA FE, VERAGUAS

Keywords: Water availability, livelihoods, coffee, adaptation, vulnerability
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 39

Abstract

The cultivation of coffee has great economic, social and environmental impact. In small farmers in tropical regions, water scarcity can have harmful effects on their productions, livelihoods and drive decisions to change land use. This study analyzes the influence of water availability, farmers' perceptions of impacts on production, livelihoods, and socioeconomic vulnerability in relation to possible land use change decisions. The sampled production areas were divided according to the water availability perceived by the farmers: abundant rains, moderate rains and dry areas. Key informants were selected using a snowball sampling technique. Mixed methods included observation, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. Compared with the rest of the sample, coffee growers from drier areas perceived more severe effects of water scarcity on coffee production (80%), on their livelihoods (80%) and socioeconomic vulnerability (90%) . Overall, 57% reported severe impacts of water scarcity on production, 70% reported severe consequences on livelihoods, and 67% reported severe socioeconomic vulnerability. In order to reduce socioeconomic and livelihood vulnerability, it is important to have more technical support aimed at facilitating adaptive capacity in the face of the consequences of water availability and that organizations concerned with the conservation of the environment and livelihoods consider the effects of changes in the environment. climate variability.