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 Colombian Coffee Federation Challenge One of the leading producers of high quality coffee around the world, Colombia also has a very rich biological heritage. In less than one percent of the Earth's land surface, the country harbors 15 percent of all terrestrial biodiversity. But as coffee prices steadily decrease, coffee farmers are diversifying their land and converting rain forest into cattle pastures. Solution We are working with the Colombian Coffee Federation (FNC), one of the world's largest and most influential coffee organizations representing 500,000 Colombian farmers, to conserve the country's biodiversity and ensure livelihoods. Together, in the spring of 2003, we created the Conservation Guidelines for Coffee Production in Colombia. The Guidelines address a range of key issues in coffee production, including protection of natural ecosystems and wildlife, soil and water conservation, efficient use of energy, pollution prevention and waste reduction, ecological management of pests and plant disease, and enhancement of coffee quality and farmer livelihoods. Progress Began pilot projects in two regions of Colombia: Farming practices consistent with the Guidelines are currently being implemented through a pilot phase at two Conservation Coffee projects being undertaken by CI and the FNC in the regions of Valle de Cauca and Santander. Success in these project sites will allow replication in other coffee regions of Colombia. These project sites play a critical role in connecting fragmented forests and parklands in the Choco-Manabi and Northern Andean Conservation Corridors. 
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 Squirrel Monkey. Amazon, Colombia. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES PARTNER FAST FACTS • Colombian Coffee Federation PUBLICATIONS • Colombian Guidelines Partnership Update (pdf, 135kb) WEBSITES • In Depth: Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena Hotspot • In Depth: Tropical Andes Hotspot |
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