Soil Quality Preservation and Yield Stability in East African Highlands Coffee Plantations: An Ethnographic Study

Coffee plantations in East African highlands are facing challenges related to soil quality degradation and yield variability due to intensive farming practices. An ethnographic approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews and observations among local farmers and industry experts to understand their perspectives and experiences regarding soil conservation and yield stability strategies. Farmers highlighted the importance of intercropping with nitrogen-fixing plants and implementing crop rotation cycles as key practices for maintaining soil fertility. A notable finding was that integrating at least three different crops per year led to a significant increase in soil organic matter by an average of 5% compared to monoculture systems. The study underscores the critical role of local knowledge and integrated farming methods in achieving sustainable soil quality preservation and yield stability in East African coffee plantations. Farmers are encouraged to adopt diversified cropping systems, while policymakers should promote these practices through extension services and subsidies.