UKPACT Shade Coffee Project Saves Mexican Crops and Boosts Local Incomes
Rising temperatures threaten Mexico’s coffee crops, especially in Veracruz, where climate change could wipe out 58% of production by 2040. The community of Amatlan de los Reyes faces total devastation. But the UK’s Partnership for Accelerated Climate Transitions Programme (UK PACT) is stepping in with a game-changing solution: shade-grown coffee.
Shade Trees: The Coffee Growers’ Secret Weapon
UKPACT promotes planting trees to provide vital shade for coffee plants. This canopy cools the crops, protecting them from soaring temperatures. It doesn’t stop there. The new trees capture harmful carbon emissions and boost local incomes by producing fruit, medicinal plants, and sustainable timber. Plus, the project helps preserve the diverse cloud forests of Veracruz.
Hot Temperatures Fuel Coffee Rust Pest Explosion
Dr Robert Hunter Manson from Mexico’s Institute of Ecology warns of another climate crisis — coffee rust. The damaging pest thrives in heat, spreading faster and hitting up to ten infection cycles a year, devastating crops further.
Scientists and Locals Join Forces to Pick Perfect Trees
Experts from Mexico’s National University and the UK’s Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew assessed nearly 2,000 tree species. They short-listed 50 ideal candidates that grow fast, have dense shade-giving foliage, store loads of carbon, and live long. Local farmers in Huatusco and Teocelo helped choose the best seven species based on their practical uses — from cooking to crafts — and cultural importance.
“This project has changed the way we think about the relationship between trees and our coffee plants. Before, deforestation was common. Now we know that the trees are essential and we have to preserve them. We also know that trees with more foliage provide more shade and reduce pest infestations. I want my grandchildren to benefit from the trees I am going to plant on my land. This makes me feel proud and I also feel proud to be a woman producer.” – Lili Alicona Paes, project participant
Cleaner Air, Richer Coffee, and Stronger Communities
Planting these shade trees could remove six tonnes of CO2 per hectare each year — about the same as the annual emissions of an average Mexican home. Shade-grown coffee tastes better, commands higher prices, and secures farmers’ livelihoods. UK Ambassador Jon Benjamin praised the initiative, saying it’s a win for communities and the environment alike.
UKPACT has also developed guides and videos to help coffee growers across Mexico and worldwide replicate this sustainable, profitable farming method. This UK-Mexico collaboration is a powerful model for tackling climate change while supporting rural economies.
