South Sudan hopes its excelsa coffee, a rare climate-resistant species, will thrive amidst a global coffee crisis influenced by climate change. Catherine Bashiama, a local farmer, grows excelsa with hopes of funding her children's education. She said: "I want to send my children to school so they can be the future generation." This coffee species, discovered over a century ago in South Sudan, excites locals and the international community due to its ability to withstand drought and heat.
Aaron Davis of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, said: "What history shows us is that sometimes the world doesn't give you a choice, and right now there are many coffee farmers suffering from climate change that are facing this predicament." Excelsa could play a crucial role in adaptation. However, it makes up less than 1% of the global market, and its practical scalability remains a challenge.
Ian Paterson from Equatoria Teak has been conducting trials with initial results. He said: "There's so little known about this coffee, that we feel at the forefront to trying to unravel it and we're learning every day." The company is collaborating with about 1,500 farmers, including Bashiama, who have started seeing their trees produce. Paterson plans to export 7 tons of coffee and projects a $2 million economic contribution by 2027. However, production must triple for major investments to be worthwhile.
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South Sudan's infrastructure and political instability hamper the coffee industry. Transporting coffee to the Kenyan port costs over $7,500, much higher than neighboring countries. Minister Alison Barnaba stresses the importance of separating business from politics to maintain safety. Fires, due to hunting and land clearing, further threaten crops. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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