CNA debates labor challenges and advancement of mechanization in conilon coffee harvesting

The challenges of obtaining seasonal labor and the advancement of mechanized conilon coffee harvesting were the topics of a live broadcast promoted by the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock, on Tuesday, September 27th.

The online debate was led by CNA's technical advisor, Raquel Miranda. “The lack of seasonal labor in some regions can delay the coffee harvest, compromising the vigor of the plants, the quality of the beans and contributing to a higher incidence of pests and diseases.”

According to Raquel, many producers are looking for alternatives to optimize harvesting work. “Among these solutions, mechanization stands out, which has been adapted to the reality of the conilon species,” she said.

The vice-president of the CNA National Coffee Commission, Thiago Orletti, spoke about the situation in Espírito Santo, the largest conilon producer in the country. According to him, a set of factors impacts the availability of labor in coffee harvesting in the State.

“In many cities in the interior, such as Linhares, we have noticed an intensification in the migration of labor from the countryside to the city. And when we don’t harvest the coffee at the right time, we have a direct impact on the next harvest.”

For Thiago, there are alternatives for producers to avoid problems during the coffee harvest. He cited the use of mechanization technologies and different clones (early, intermediate and late). “The use of clones with different maturation windows allows for a more staggered harvest.”

During the live, rural producer Cleber José Ghisolfi, manager of Fazenda Olinda, located in Linhares (ES), talked about the moment he needed to purchase a harvesting machine due to the difficulty in hiring labor in the region. “I was forced to look for a solution. But first I had to study the machine that was originally developed for Arabica coffee, and then adapt it to my crop.”

Ghisolfi explained that, with mechanization, he was able to harvest 98% of his crops without harming the plant. “I was able to adapt the machine’s settings to each variety of coffee.”

The Coffee Production Coordinator at the Capixaba Institute for Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Incaper), Abraão Carlos Verdin, spoke about the economic relevance and representativeness of conilon coffee production in Espírito Santo. According to him, 44,8 bags are currently produced per hectare, but there is potential to reach 100 or even 150 bags per hectare. “We are able to advance much further,” he said.

Abrãao also highlighted the importance of developing technologies for sloped areas, as 70% of coffee is produced in mountain regions.

Finally, Verdin explained the importance of producers using plants with different genetic profiles to optimize the harvest. “Incaper offers early, medium and late clones. With the use of these clones in different plots, the workforce would be distributed over four months of harvest, which would make it easier to hire people.”