Browsing by Author "Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi"

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    Assessing the impact of voluntary certification schemes on future sustainable coffee production
    (MDPI, 2024-07-03) Jones, Katharine; Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi; Garnett, Kenisha; Girkin, Nicholas T.; This research was supported by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NE/X001687/1 and NE/X001679/1).; Natural Environmental Research Council
    Coffee production faces major sustainability issues and consumers increasingly look to choose certified coffee as awareness grows. While consumers’ understanding of sustainability issues is limited, independent voluntary certification schemes such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and certified organic—three high-profile schemes—can play a role in future-proofing coffee production through standard-setting. These schemes can also inform consumers about sustainability issues from economic, environmental, and social perspectives, thus driving up demand for sustainably grown coffee, and supporting an enabling environment for farmers and coffee-producing countries to improve the status quo. Sustainably grown coffee ensures that farmers sustain production while protecting the environment and the income that farmers rely on to maintain their livelihood. Based on a thematic analysis and synthesis of previous studies, this paper examines the social, economic, and environmental effects of voluntary certification schemes for coffee production. It evaluates the current state of coffee production and explores how certification schemes can be effective in encouraging more sustainable practices among producers. Three major voluntary certification schemes are evaluated to identify the impacts on producers, including key barriers and enablers to comply with sustainability standards and to determine how fit-for-purpose certification schemes are in assuring future sustainable coffee production.
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    Organic management in coffee: a systematic review of the environmental, economic and social benefits and trade-offs for farmers
    (Taylor and Francis, 2025-05-29) Jones, Katharine; Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi; Garnett, Kenisha; Girkin, Nicholas T.
    Global coffee production is expanding, contributing to environmental degradation, notably through extensive use of inorganic fertilizers. Volatile prices, climate change, rising input costs, and pressure to decrease carbon footprints represent key challenges for farmers. Regenerative soil management and the use of organic management as an alternative to conventional mineral fertilizers offer one potential solution to address these challenges. However, information is limited regarding the potential options available for farmers, and their potential environmental, economic, and social impacts. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to assess the benefits and trade-offs from adopting different organic management approaches following PRISMA guidelines. We identified 43 peer-reviewed articles, predominantly focusing on agroforestry, plant-derived additions, soil management or animal manure to improve livelihoods and environment. Research priorities differ by region and there is a skew toward researching the environmental impacts of regenerative techniques. Our synthesis demonstrates multiple potential environmental benefits to organic management, but increasing economic risks and trade-offs for farmers, particularly in transitioning to organic management. We also highlight the social barriers facing farmers, from education to access to knowledge networks to support implementation. These challenges must be addressed to support any future sustainable transitions to organic management in coffee.