Empowering the Next Generation of Coffee Farmers

The climate-resilient and low-carbon coffee farming training in Wayanad was implemented as part of the Empowering Youth in Coffee Production in India (2025–2028) project, a multi-year initiative by Fairtrade NAPP and Fairtrade Austria with support from Julius Meinl 1862 GmbH. The project aims to strengthen the livelihoods of Fairtrade certified coffee farmers in Kerala and Karnataka, promote climate-resilient and sustainable coffee production, and create greater opportunities for young people to contribute to the future of the coffee sector.

Through this training, participating farmers gained practical knowledge and skills to adapt to changing climatic conditions and improve the sustainability of their coffee cultivation practices.

A Sapling Watered, a Journey Begun

The programme began with a symbolic plant-watering ceremony, reflecting the central focus on the health of the land and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Rudragouda, Principal Investigator (Kerala State) and Deputy Director (Research), and Mr. Basavaraj M. Chulaki, Deputy Director (Extension), Kerala Region, inaugurated the programme at the Regional Coffee Research Station, Chundale, on 2 July 2026.48 farmers from six Fairtrade Small Producer Organisations in Wayanad  participated in the training :

• Empower Coffee Areas Wayanad (ECAW),
• Forum For Fairtrade Organic Agri Betterment,
• Fair Trade Alliance Kerala,
• Wayanad Agricultural Society,
• WSSS Organic Farmers Fairtrade Association (WOFFA) and
• Wayanad Organic Society (WOS).

Organised by Fairtrade NAPP in partnership with the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) and coordinated by Coffee Coordinator Mr. Thejus K S, it was the first farmer training organised under the initiative. Its purpose was clear: to deepen farmers’ understanding of climate change and its implications for coffee production, and to open up climate-resilient, low-carbon farming practices they can take back to their own farms.

Decoding the Climate Behind Every Coffee Cherry

Coffee is a climate-sensitive crop, and the farmers of Wayanad experience this on their farms every season. In the opening technical session, "Impact of Climate Change on Coffee," Dr. Chethan J. unpacked the difference between climate and weather, traced recent climatic changes at the global and national levels, and showed how these shifts influence coffee yield, quality and pest incidence. Supported by current facts and data, the session gave farmers a scientific lens for changes they had so far known only through experience, and in the lively discussion that followed, farmers connected the science directly to their own farms.

From Carbon Footprint to Carbon Sink: Seeing the Coffee Farm Anew

Some of the most engaging conversations of the day came from the sessions led by Dr. Rudragouda, including "Carbon Footprint: Beyond Neutrality – Indian Coffee Estates as Net Carbon Sinks under Agroforestry." Comparing the global and Indian coffee sectors, he highlighted what makes Indian coffee production unique: grown under shade, within agroforestry systems that can store more carbon than they release. Farmers learned how a farm’s carbon footprint is estimated, and explored shade management, carbon stock assessment, biomass estimation, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. For many participants, this reframed their coffee farms as part of the climate solution, and gave them practical entry points for low-carbon farming.

"The workshop was highly informative and provided practical guidance on climate-resilient coffee cultivation, including good agricultural practices, pruning, nutrient management, and pest and disease management. The knowledge and technical insights shared will help farmers improve both the productivity and quality of their coffee. "

- Jose E Sebastian, Farmer, Wayanad Organic Society (WOS)

Caring for the Soil That Carries the Crop

Climate-resilient coffee begins below the surface. Smt. Revathy M. V., Assistant Specialist (Agronomy), led a hands-on session on soil management, soil conservation, irrigation practices and fertiliser application schedules, showing how each contributes to productivity and long-term sustainability. Farmers left with clearer, season-wise guidance on nourishing their soil and using water wisely, decisions they make every week that now connect directly to the climate picture drawn earlier in the day.

"The training provided valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on coffee cultivation and the importance of adopting climate-resilient farming practices. I gained practical knowledge on irrigation and shade management, which will help improve coffee productivity and quality. I look forward to participating in more such training sessions in the future."

- Sanil Kumar M S, Farmer, Wayanad Agricultural Society

Subsidies, EUDR and the India Coffee App: Support Within Reach

Knowledge works best when paired with access. Mr. Jayan P. T., Junior Liaison Officer, walked participants through the subsidy schemes available through the Coffee Board, including eligibility criteria and the application process, so farmers know exactly what support they can seek and how. He also briefed them on compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and guided them through registration on the India Coffee App, preparing farmers for the market requirements that increasingly shape coffee trade.

Learning That Can Be Seen and Measured

The day closed with a visit to the climate-resilient coffee breeding plot, where farmers saw the research station’s work growing in front of them, varieties bred for the very challenges discussed in the classroom. The learning was measurable too: a comparison of pre-training and post-training assessments showed a clear improvement in participants’ understanding of climate change, carbon footprint and sustainable production practices. Participant feedback reflected high satisfaction with the content, the resource persons and the interactive approach, and farmers reported greater confidence in adopting climate-resilient and low-carbon practices on their own farms.

The Road Ahead

This training was the first in the series planned under "Empowering Youth in Coffee Production in India 2025-2028", and it has set a strong foundation for the collaboration between Fairtrade NAPP, Fairtrade Austria, CCRI and the Small Producer Organisations of Wayanad. In the years to 2028, the initiative will work with 13 small-scale coffee cooperatives and around 250 farmer members across Kerala and Karnataka, with particular attention to the youth and women who will shape the future of coffee in these regions. Farmers themselves have asked for more, with participants expressing interest in further sessions of this kind. Adapting coffee farming to a changing climate is a long journey, and no single training can complete it; what this first step has done is bring science, support schemes and farmers’ own experience into one conversation. Fairtrade NAPP will continue to work alongside the coffee farming communities of Kerala and Karnataka as they carry these practices from the training hall to their farms.