Coffee Conservation Pilot Project

Coffee production in Puerto Rico is in decline due to extreme weather fluctuations that also threaten natural resources, soil and water quality, and depleted water reserves. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are threatening coffee producers. Temperature increases reduce coffee plant growth and flowering ability, diminishing coffee berry production. 

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has identified action strategies at the local level to reduce key threats to coffee production and natural resources. These strategies were developed collaboratively with the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) and will be implemented on a pilot basis in Adjuntas, Ciales, Jayuya and Utuado. 

The NRCS Coffee Conservation Pilot Project aims to improve water quantity, soil and water quality, and coffee production to sustain market trends and harvest quality and yields. 

NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance to eligible land users on eligible lands to improve soil conditions and water quality and increase water management efficiency for agricultural purposes. 

• Afiche de proyecto piloto para la conservación de café (PDF, 225 KB)

• Hoja Informativa: Proyecto piloto para la conservación de café (PDF, 447 KB)

• Iniciativas de conservación del café NRCS

• NRCS Coffee Conservation Pilot Project Flyer (PDF, 223 KB)

• NRCS Coffee Conservation Pilot Project Factsheet (PDF, 363 KB)

• NRCS Coffee Conservation Initiatives

• Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership