Smallholder coffee farmers grow most of the world's coffee but struggle financially. Many earn below the poverty line due to low yields and limited resources. Experts suggest that paying more for smallholder coffee isn't enough. Building long-term relationships and supporting cooperatives may offer better solutions. Larger farms benefit from more resources and market access, but smallholders need more support to thrive. Transparency in the supply chain could encourage consumers to pay fairer prices. True sustainability in specialty coffee requires more than higher payments; it's about creating balanced, long-lasting partnerships.
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