More Information on Fetilization
July 13, 2007
Fertilization is one of the biggest
investments a coffee farm makes. In fact, fertilization is one of the main
concern of any person involve in any agricultural practice. In many
low-level areas around the world, many growers face the dilemma of
nurturing their coffee fields properly versus bringing in more food for
their families.
It is not unusual for the cost of fertilizers to be 25% to 35% of the total overhead of the farm. This value is based on an implementation of an entire fertilization program. However, most coffee growers could not afford to manage a complete fertilization program. In addition, some growers do not receive any guidance or current information to properly handle fertilization practices.
Applying fertilizers costs a lot of money because fertilizer might be applied after a complete analysis of the soil and the leaves, and those tests also imply an extra cost.
Using fertilizers in a proper way would not only provide the precise nutrients to the shrub but also would increase the production volume and improve the quality.
In addition to applying fertilizers, all growers should care for their coffee trees through pruning, and deter any foreign weeds that compete with the same nutrients of the coffee trees. Weeding is very important because any weeds left over in the field after applying the fertilizer would do nothing except feed the weeds and the wood of the branches.
The above pictures show some of different kinds of defective coffee tree leaves that reflect a fertilization problem. (Source: http://www.coffeeresearch.org/agriculture/mineral.htm)
El Paternal Farm received assistance from Anacafe (National Association of Guatemala Coffee) agronomists. We have already established contact with Mr. Anzueto and Mr. Cruz that currently assist El Paternal Farm. The main objective of this project is to create a partnership not only with them but also with the farm manager and workers in general that would end up increasing their knowledge and expertise. At the end of this project, we hope they will find better and more optimal ways to fertilize the soil and leaves of the coffee trees.
The products that we will use for our project have arrived in Guatemala this week after a long process of permit requests and procedures in the local customs office.
We want to provide assistance to El Paternal Farm to improve their knowledge and expertise implementing a cost effective fertilization program.
It is not unusual for the cost of fertilizers to be 25% to 35% of the total overhead of the farm. This value is based on an implementation of an entire fertilization program. However, most coffee growers could not afford to manage a complete fertilization program. In addition, some growers do not receive any guidance or current information to properly handle fertilization practices.
Applying fertilizers costs a lot of money because fertilizer might be applied after a complete analysis of the soil and the leaves, and those tests also imply an extra cost.
Using fertilizers in a proper way would not only provide the precise nutrients to the shrub but also would increase the production volume and improve the quality.
In addition to applying fertilizers, all growers should care for their coffee trees through pruning, and deter any foreign weeds that compete with the same nutrients of the coffee trees. Weeding is very important because any weeds left over in the field after applying the fertilizer would do nothing except feed the weeds and the wood of the branches.
The above pictures show some of different kinds of defective coffee tree leaves that reflect a fertilization problem. (Source: http://www.coffeeresearch.org/agriculture/mineral.htm)
El Paternal Farm received assistance from Anacafe (National Association of Guatemala Coffee) agronomists. We have already established contact with Mr. Anzueto and Mr. Cruz that currently assist El Paternal Farm. The main objective of this project is to create a partnership not only with them but also with the farm manager and workers in general that would end up increasing their knowledge and expertise. At the end of this project, we hope they will find better and more optimal ways to fertilize the soil and leaves of the coffee trees.
The products that we will use for our project have arrived in Guatemala this week after a long process of permit requests and procedures in the local customs office.
We want to provide assistance to El Paternal Farm to improve their knowledge and expertise implementing a cost effective fertilization program.
