In Central America, particularly in Honduras, coffee production is vital to rural economies. However, extreme weather events such as droughts negatively impact coffee and food production, affecting food security of rural communities. In western Honduras populations suffer from food insecurity and malnutrition, with droughts worsening these conditions. Projections suggest that climate change could reduce the area suitable for coffee production in Central America by more than 50% by 2050. Over the past decade, in Honduras and Guatemala farmers and the coffee industry such as traders, coffee roasters and certification schemes have promoted agricultural practices such as shade trees and improved soil management for better water retention under the approach Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. Evidence suggests that CSA has substantial potential to enhance resilience, particularly in terms of food security, productivity, and climate adaptation. However, limited evidence exists regarding whether and how CSA adoption in coffee systems improve food security. This research examines climate resilience and food security among coffee households in the western part of Honduras, a region where the coffee industry is invested on coffee adaptation strategies. The main objective is to identify how stakeholders in the coffee value chain understand, address and can improve farmers' resilience to food insecurity under extreme events. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected from a survey of 348 coffee farmers in western Honduras, accompanied by focus group discussions with technicians and farmers, and key stakeholder interviews with coffee sector representatives from US and Europe, certifiers, and experts as well as the local food system actors. Additionally, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify agricultural practices and adaptation options that enhance the resilience of coffee systems to climate variability while improving food security, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The main findings reveal that coffee remains the primary source of income for many coffee households, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in coffee prices and food insecurity in the study area. Traders, roasters, households, and some certification scheme representatives often lack a clear understanding of what food insecurity entails. While certification schemes and industry initiatives promote sustainable practices, they often fail to adequately address food security challenges in western Honduras. Climate adaptation strategies in the coffee sector throughout Latin America, including multipurpose agriculture practices, agroecology practices, and regenerative agriculture practices, offer promising solutions for improving both coffee production resilience and household food security. Local food production plays a critical role in enhancing food security, particularly during crises when external supply food chains may be disrupted. Strengthening connections between local production (including on-farm climate adaptation practices) and local markets is crucial to ensure continuous food availability. This integrated approach not only mitigates the impacts of climate shocks on coffee systems but also fosters resilience within coffee communities. Without targeted efforts, food insecurity will remain a persistent challenge in coffee-producing regions, undermining the long-term resilience of both coffee systems and farming communities, while also threatening the sustainability of the coffee industry.
Fernando Rodríguez Camayo (Thu,) studied this question.