This initiative focuses on developing new coffee varieties to adapt to climate change and improve productivity. World Coffee Research (WCR) has transitioned its F1 hybrids to pre-commercial trials, marking a significant step in its ongoing project that started in 2015. The goal is to evaluate how these hybrids perform in real farming conditions and to explore their potential benefits for coffee production.
• The F1 project aims to create high-yielding coffee varieties that are resilient to climate change and diseases.
• Four promising hybrid candidates have been identified from the initial trials, showing good yields and cup quality.
• The pre-commercial trials will assess these hybrids on a larger scale and test new partnership models with industry stakeholders.
• WCR plans to complete the trial phase by 2030 and aims to have distribution plans in place by 2036.
This development is crucial as it allows farmers to access new coffee varieties that can withstand climate challenges. It also fosters collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure effective distribution. Ultimately, the focus is on providing more choices for farmers and enhancing the sustainability of coffee production.
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