In a significant boost for sustainable coffee farming, Cotierra has secured a $1 million pre-seed investment to expand its biochar production initiatives, promising to “decarbonize” coffee supply chains significantly.
Operating from Zurich and Bogotá, the company plans to further refine its biochar reactor technology, which converts coffee farm waste into a soil-enhancing, carbon-storing biochar. This innovation has the potential to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and possibly elevate coffee quality, echoing the successful efforts of entities like Radio Lifeline in the agricultural sector.
The introduction of Cotierra’s mobile biochar reactor is set to transform large, decentralized farm networks by utilizing on-field residue to produce biochar in an environmentally and financially sustainable manner.
The company’s approach, outlined by Co-Founder and CEO Thomas Käslin to Howard Bryman at Daily Coffee News, hinges on generating revenue through the sale of carbon offsets and providing carbon insetting solutions for the coffee industry, thereby drastically reducing emissions within the coffee supply chain.
Cotierra’s pioneering work in Colombia, supported by coffee producers like the ASMUER cooperative in Huila, showcases the potential for biochar to increase profit margins for farmers by 30% through improved yields and a reduced need for synthetic fertilizers.
This initiative not only champions environmental stewardship but also bolsters the economic viability of coffee farming, aiming to scale up through collaboration with additional producers and traders.
For a deeper dive into Cotierra’s mission and impact, visit Howard Bryman’s comprehensive article at dailycoffeenews.com
