how is organic coffee produced and what methods are used in processing?
Coffee is organic simply because there is no chemical use. Providing credit to farmers for inputs is difficult. This coffee is not certified as organic coffee. Arabica coffee is wet processed while Robusta coffee is dry processed. From: Keith Chapman – FAO/RAP To: Mr Khamlek Boungnavong – Lao – PDR Question: What are the important issues concerning coffee in Lao? Answer: 1. Low prices. In the past 1 kg coffee=5 kg rice, now 1kg coffee=1.5 kg rice. 2. Occasional frosts above 900 m.a.s.l., and we need to establish shade over the coffee to reduce this risk. 3. At lower altitudes of around 600-900 m.a.s.l., rust, Cercospora and dieback are serious problems. 4. Need to establish both temporary and permanent shade, preferably from fruit trees to earn extra income for small farmers. From: Gregory Love – Myanmar To: Dr Alastair Hicks – FAO/RAP Question: How long and how often is a rest period required in the drying process and how can you hold fresh mature cherries at the processing site? Answ
